AFL.com.au reporter Dinny Navaratnam takes a look at some of the key questions surrounding the Swans as they look to start their JLT Community Series campaign on Saturday.

How will Sydney's ruck combination look leading into round one?
With Kurt Tippett having retired, Sam Naismith and Callum Sinclair look set to carry the bulk of the duties. However, don't discount Aliir Aliir. Coach John Longmire flagged the possibility of the defender spending time as a back-up ruckman after he played just three games in 2017, in a move that would make the Swans more mobile. Both Sinclair and Naismith have taken on the role as number one ruckman in recent seasons. Will the Swans look to play one or two ruckman during the 2018 season? All will be revealed when the side is named to take on West Coast in the season opener at Optus Stadium. 

How will the Swans forward line set up in season 2018? 
Lance Franklin booted 73 goals last year as he won a fourth Coleman Medal but the gap to second was huge, with Sam Reid and Tom Papley each booting 30. No other finalist had as large a difference between its first and second-ranked goal kickers. Reid looked promising early in his career before missing all of 2016 with injuries, and he should improve in his second season back at full fitness. Gary Rohan has shown he can be dynamic across the front half and working alongside the experienced head of Kieren Jack will add intense pressure to defenders. Add to that mix the emergence of young forward Tom McCartin in the off-season and the Swans look to have some strong stocks up forward.

Is this the year Callum Mills permanently moves into the midfield?
It's unlikely. He will spend some time running through the middle but he has proven excellent in defence in his first two years, so Longmire will be reluctant to move Mills. The 2016 NAB AFL Rising Star will eventually become an onballer and he has all the traits to succeed in that position, but Sydney has so many options in that department it can afford to keep the 20-year-old in the backline. It will be intriguing to see how the young star is developed as he enters his third season of football.