TWELVE months ago, questions were being asked about how the Sydney Swans would incorporate Kurt Tippett into their side.

Tippett's arrival came just 10 weeks after the Swans had secured a premiership with a well-balanced offensive system revolving around sharing the goals between the forwards and midfielders.

Once he made his debut in the second half of last season, Tippett quickly established himself as the Swans' main target, finishing as their leading goalkicker with 35 from just 12 games.

But some felt his addition had made the Swans more predictable.

Midfielders Josh Kennedy, Kieren Jack, Ryan O'Keefe and Craig Bird all had a dip in their goalkicking numbers in 2013 compared to the previous year.

So how do you solve the issue of a potentially one-dimensional forward line?

You go and recruit another of the competition's truly elite power forwards.

The Swans' stunning signing of Lance Franklin instantly gives the Swans the most dangerous forward set-up in the AFL.

Throw in Adam Goodes, who should spend more time in the forward line this coming season, and Sam Reid and the Swans possess a tall, mobile, athletic attack that will give opposition sides absolute nightmares.

With Ben McGlynn – who has kicked 30 goals in each of the last two seasons – Lewis Jetta and Gary Rohan also lethal around the forward 50m, coach John Longmire has an extraordinary arsenal at his disposal.

"I think it's exciting for the Sydney Swans' supporters and our members that they can see some of the most exciting talent running around," Longmire said.

"It's really exciting for our players, who I'm sure can't wait to run out with Sam and Lance and Gary Rohan and Jetta and these blokes we've got.

"We know it's not just going to happen, it's going to take a lot of work, but we're prepared to work really hard and be competitive every week.

"Hopefully we can be up the pointy end of the ladder. That's what this is all about."

So how exactly does Franklin fit in to the Swans' structure?

In 2008, in just his fourth season in the competition, Franklin played deep in the goalsquare and responded with a 113-goal, Coleman Medal-winning campaign.

That number could have even been far greater if not for his inaccuracy, as he also kicked 88 behinds that year.

In 2011 he secured his second Coleman with an 82-goal haul, yet Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson had growing concerns about his side's predictability.

So in a well-documented move, Clarkson altered Franklin's role, pushing him further up the ground where he could utilise his pace while also opening up their forward 50m.

For the first time in seven seasons, Franklin didn't finish as the Hawks' leading goalkicker – kicking 60 to Jarryd Roughead's 72 – but he did win a second flag.

Franklin is yet to discuss his role with Longmire, but he expects it to be similar to last year.

"I think it'll be the same as the way we played at Hawthorn in terms of sharing the goals and sharing the variety of roles at a football club," he said.

Longmire, meanwhile, clearly has some ideas in mind how to get the best out of his prized new asset.

"I think we've got an opportunity to be flexible and adaptable and really mobile in our front half," Longmire said.

"There's no doubt that with the level of talent that Lance has got, it gives us an opportunity to be really versatile.

"With the 120-limited interchange coming in, the blokes that can really run and get up and down the ground are only going to be more important.

"Obviously Lance has got a true track record of kicking goals, so to be able to play him in our front half at the SCG or at ANZ Stadium is going to be exciting for all the players that play alongside him."

Despite some opinions to the contrary, Longmire still has big plans for 21-year-old Reid, who he described as "a fantastic young player for this footy club".

And Longmire also knows where Franklin won't be lining up.

"It would be fair to say he won't spend a lot of time in the back 50," he said.