With Christmas just around the corner, the Sydney Swans were put through their paces for the last time in 2014 on Friday morning.

The squad, including late pre-season starters Adam Goodes, Mike Pyke, Sam Reid and Craig Bird, headed out onto Lakeside Oval, and took part in a variety of drills to round out the year.

On a windy Sydney morning, Goodes and Pyke completed handball drills with some of their younger colleagues including draftee James Rose and Aliir Aliir, while Reid and Bird joined in with the main group for fitness and agility drills.

The pair, who both underwent post-season knee surgery, then teamed up with Kurt Tippett for kicking and marking drills.

After returning to the club in top shape following the off-season break, Tippett looked strong overhead during the marking drills and moved well throughout the session.

Young defender Sean McLaren was put to the test as Tippett’s opponent late in the session, while ruckman Tom Derickx also took turns battling it out with the key forward.

Fellow forward Lance Franklin was also more active in Friday morning’s final session, with the Coleman medallist joining the main group for match simulation drills, including a number of forward-specific drills.

In addition to match simulation, the main group also completed a number of one-on-one tackling and wrestling drills, before finishing the session with repeat runs around Lakeside Oval.

Friday morning marked the final training session for the squad before the Christmas break, with the team set to return to the track on January 5.

The Sydney Swans offices will also close over the Christmas and New Year period from Friday and will re-open on January 5, with the club’s Membership team back on board on January 8.

Membership sales and information throughout this time will be available via membership.sydneyswans.com.au.  

From all the staff at the Sydney Swans, Merry Christmas and have a safe and happy New Year.