On the eve of the Sydney Swans’ season opener against West Coast at Telstra Stadium on Saturday night, Ben Broad walks you through the club’s off-season news.

10. Baaaaalllll – yeeeeeaaaaahhh!!!

Former Sydney Swans premiership ruckman Jason Ball was elected unopposed to the club’s board in early February. Feeling he could add a fresh voice to the table as a recently-retired player, Bally put his hand up for a spot on the board and got the nod.

9. Welcome to the family

The Swans family continued to grow over the summer. While Michael O’Loughlin became a Dad to daughter Taya during last year’s finals and Darren Jolly and wife Deanne had Swans fans chewing their fingernails in the lead-up the Grand Final, baby fever continued over the summer. Ben Mathews, Brett Kirk and new Swan ‘Spida’ Everitt have all celebrated new births since last season to ensure some sleepless nights for the red and whites.

8. New rules

While many fans, coaches and players called on the AFL rules committee to ease up on their willingness to tamper with the rules, it hasn’t happened. Many have been critical already in 2007 of the new interpretation of the law which doesn’t allow a player to place his hands on his opponent’s back during a marking contest. Time will tell as to how the change will be viewed.

7. TV rights deal done

After months of to-ing and fro-ing, Channels 10, 7 and Foxtel finally agreed to terms with the AFL in early February, putting the final touches on the richest television broadcast deal in the history of Australian sport. Opinion is divided on the result, which AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou says gives footy followers in all parts of Australia easier access to watch the game.

6. The Swans on the bus go …

The profile of the Sydney Swans just continues to grow. It almost seems like you can’t go anywhere in Sydney these days without seeing images of Barry Hall or Adam Goodes posted somewhere around the city. Now, you’ll even see them staring back at you as you sit at the traffic lights, with the Swans decking out a bus to carry passengers around the city while promoting the club at the same time.

5. Swans lead Aussies to victory

Five Sydney Swans played a part in the International Rules series, with four coming away with a win from the spiteful contests. Irishman Tadhg Kennelly impressed for the home side while Ryan O’Keefe, Adam Schneider and Nick Davis did likewise for the Australians. Barry Hall was also inspirational and captained the side in game two – a 38-point win to Australia.

4 . Glimpse into the future

While trade time was perhaps the Swans’ biggest coup last year, Paul Roos added to his impressive young list by picking up a bunch of talented youngsters at last year’s AFL national draft. Daniel O’Keefe (pick 15), Daniel Currie (49), Peter Faulks (65) and Jesse White (79) have all showed glimpses during the off-season, while new rookies Nick Smith, Matt O’Dwyer and Luke Brennan all look capable of developing into regular stars of the future.

3. Brighter start in 2007

What is going on in the Harbour City? It’s early spring and the Swans are winning games – something that hasn’t occurred in past years. Yep, that’s right, the red and whites went 3-2 during their pre-season campaign. A creditable loss to an impressive Western Bulldogs line-up and wins over Collingwood (twice) and Richmond, combined with the list appearing to be in better shape overall, has Swans fans optimistic about the season ahead.

2. Longmire in charge

There was a reshuffle among the Swans assistant coaches during the off-season. While Ross Lyon departed to take up the helm at St Kilda and John Blakey joined the assistants team from Brisbane, perhaps the biggest change came in the form of John Longmire filling the role of coaching coordinator. That meant Longmire took charge during most of the pre-season, furthering his own development while giving senior coach Paul Roos the chance to take a backward step.

1. The big man arrives

After a year of “will he or won’t he?” the Swans finally got their man when former St Kilda and Hawthorn champ Peter ‘Spida’ Everitt was traded north. Everitt is just what the Swans need, and his pairing with Darren Jolly is likely to see the 2005 premiers challenge strongly again for this year’s title. Although 32, Spida is still arguably the best tap ruckman in the game and he is eager to prove his worth in a new jumper.