In recent times the Swans haven't won too many games in the pre-season but on Friday night they are preparing to make it four wins from five games in 2007.
Coach Paul Roos admits the team is ahead of previous years ensuring their preparation for round one is on track.
“We are probably playing better footy at this time of the year (compared to other years) and the guys that are in the team at the moment have had pretty good preparations,” Roos said.
“There are a few that we would like in being (Luke) Ablett, (Jared) Crouch, Lewis Roberts-Thomson and (Adam) Schneider.
“But the ones that are in the team at the moment, providing they get through this weekend, will have a pretty good preparation leading in to round one."
The pre-season started with John Longmire stepping into the senior coaching fray and Ted Richards booting five in a win over Collingwood at North Sydney Oval, but Schneider was arguably the story of the night after tearing his hamstring.
The inexperienced team then travelled to Canberra to battle the Western Bulldogs in round one of the NAB Cup. The result was a 27-point win for the opposition but the young Swans looked promising and everyone got through the game unscathed.
Next up was a return to Canberra for the regional challenge against Richmond with Paul Roos back in the hot seat.
The team welcomed back several more senior players, including Peter Everitt who made his debut in Swans colours, and they came away with a 19-point victory, though Leo Barry (calf) and Tadhg Kennelly (shoulder) suffered minor injuries and Nic Fosdike was reported for striking - on appeal it was downgraded to a reprimand.
Week three sent the Swans to Narrandera where Barry Hall played his first pre-season game in the Swans 46-point win over Collingwood but the downside was a hamstring injury to premiership player Paul Bevan.
In the final pre-season game the Swans meet Port Adelaide at Telstra Stadium on Friday night - where entry is free - and Roos believes it will be a dress rehearsal for the season opener.
“We will treat Friday’s game full on, this is our last hit out,” Roos added.
“We will have a full week of meetings and preparation and go into the game as if it is a regular season game.
“We expect Leo and Tadhg to play this week but Paul Bevan will miss (the game) with a hamstring injury.
“I can’t see anyone who doesn’t play this week being available for week one, so this is the best team we will pick.”
Meanwhile Tim Schmidt’s early exit from the game in Narrandera was more precautionary after bruising his hand and he is expected to play this weekend.
