Isaac Heeney believes Sydney is well set to rebound quickly from a rare finals miss and he wants to be the man to lead the club officially in the future.
The Swans sit 15th with just six wins heading into their round 21 with Port Adelaide on Saturday and won't make the eight for the first time since 2009 in Paul Roos' second-last season in charge.
Heeney will play his 100th game against Port Adelaide the Power, becoming the first player from the 2014 NAB AFL Draft to reach the milestone.
The 23-year-old was elevated into the Swans' leadership group late last year and while he says he won't know what to do with himself in September, he's excited by what the club is building.
Senior regulars Heeney, Callum Mills, Tom Papley, George Hewett, Nick Blakey, Will Hayward, Oliver Florent, Jordan Dawson, Tom McCartin, Ben Ronke and Lewis Melican are all under 24 years of age, and will form the core of the Swans side going forward.
Heeney's enjoying the extra responsibility he's been given in 2019 and has a goal of one day taking over the work of co-skippers Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker and Dane Rampe.
"I'd absolutely love to captain the club, but that’s a long way down the track," he said.
"It has been challenging this year, but I've absolutely loved it, and if I can be a role model to the younger forwards then I'd love to do that.
"I just have to make sure my backyard is clean and be professional on and off the field, while keeping my standards high on a consistent basis."
With veteran defender Heath Grundy already retired, Jarrad McVeigh to join him at the end of the season, and Kieren Jack and Nick Smith a chance to follow them, the Swans will be hit by another exodus of experience this year.
However, Heeney said the standards set by those players, and McVeigh in particular, has Sydney primed for the future.
"It's going to be a massive loss, Macca's probably the best leader I've ever seen on and off the field.
"He's set the pathway for guys like Luke Parker and Dane Rampe, and then myself, and Callum Mills and Tom Papley.
"Our culture has been so strong over the years because of our amazing leaders."
Heeney's big day against Port at Adelaide oval has taken on even more significance after good mate James Bell was named to debut against the Power.
The pair of fishing and surfing buddies are both products of the Swans' Academy system, with Heeney (rugby league) and Bell (soccer) both coming from other sports.
A video of Bell's heartfelt phone call to tell his mother he'd be making his debut went viral on Tuesday.
"To be really close with him and see how emotional he was, actually got me a little bit emotional too, so it's going to be a special weekend," Heeney said.
"He's really skilful and quick, but he's added some hardness over the last few months.
"If he's head is up and he's confident, he'll run amok I hope."
