IT will seem like a long time coming but Sydney Swans fans can look forward to cheering on the team against new rival Team GWS in just over three months time.

The Swans will open their 2011 NAB Cup campaign on Saturday night, February 19 at Blacktown Olympic Park, with matches against the AFL's two newcomers, local rivals Team GWS and the Gold Coast Suns.

In a new format, the NAB Cup competition will kick off with a triangular round robin series. The Swans, GWS and the Suns will compete in one pool, with the AFL’s other 15 teams divided into a further five groups.

Each of the teams in the pool will play two matches, consisting of two 20 minutes halves, with an eight minute half-time break.

The top eight qualifiers from the triangular series (six pool winners and the two next best qualified teams) will progress into the quarter finals under a traditional NAB Cup format.

The Swans scored a convincing victory over Carlton at Blacktown in the opening round of the NAB Cup this year, before going down to St Kilda in round two.

Players will commence their preparations for the 2011 NAB Cup in the coming weeks, with 1-3 year players commencing preseason training on Monday, November 8. The full squad, with the exception of those currently competing in the International Rules series will be in preseason training by Monday, November 22.

The full fixture for round one of the 2011 NAB Cup is below. For more information on the new format of the NAB Cup, please visit www.afl.com.au. 

Pool 1: Adelaide Crows, Melbourne, Port Adelaide
AAMI Stadium, February 11, 7.45pm (all times are AEDT).

Pool 2: Carlton, Richmond, Collingwood
Etihad Stadium, February 12, 7.15pm.

Pool 3: West Coast, Hawthorn, Fremantle
Patersons Stadium, February 13, 7.45pm.

Pool 4: Essendon, Brisbane Lions, St Kilda
Etihad Stadium, February 18, 7.15pm.

Pool 5: Greater Western Sydney, Sydney Swans, Gold Coast Suns
Blacktown Olympic Park, February 19, 7.15pm

Pool 6: Geelong Cats, North Melbourne, Western Bulldogs
Skilled Stadium, February 20, 4.15pm.