AFTER nine years as a Sydney Swan, Amon Buchanan says he’s used to footy pundits writing his club off as a genuine contender.

And along with his teammates, Buchanan is also increasingly used to proving those pundits wrong.

Six successive finals campaigns under coach Paul Roos is testament to the Swans’ ability to constantly defy external expectations, and Buchanan said this year would be no different.

“We’re used to being written off at this stage of the year,” he said.

“Honestly, we’ve been written off for the past eight years, so we’re used to that.

“In a way, it can spur you on a bit, so I think the boys are just looking to start well this year and hopefully we can win a few games early, get going and get up and running.”

The Swans’ journey begins against St Kilda on Saturday night at Docklands and Buchanan said he was hoping to capitalise on a career-best preparation.

“I’ve pretty much done every session bar one or two,” he said.

“I’ve played in all the games, and I’ve got through, so it’s been pretty solid.  Everyone’s raring to go. It’s been a long pre-season and we’re not in bad shape.

“Most of the guys are in pretty good nick; there are a few who have got a couple of injuries, but overall, we’re looking pretty good.”

The former Geelong Falcons junior emerged as a genuine top-flight player with a stellar 2005 season, helping his club to its first premiership in 72 years.

He backed up with another strong year in 2006, but a combination of injuries and suspension has interrupted his campaigns in following seasons.

In a pre-season appraisal of the club’s list, Swans coaching co-ordinator John Longmire said Buchanan had been challenged to return to his role as one of the side’s most consistent contributors.

“He’s a player who, at his best, is really dynamic and able to change the momentum of a game and 2005 showed that,” Longmire said.

“He just needs to make sure he gets back to that level of confidence and ball-winning ability. Once he builds his game around his pressure, everything else tends to flow.”

The 26-year-old agreed with Longmire’s assessment and said he had set himself for a solid year.

“I was probably a little bit inconsistent at times [last year], so as John said, I’ll be looking to just play a bit more consistently.

“I suppose the last couple of years, I’ve been a bit inconsistent so I’m looking forward to trying to get off to a good start round one, get a bit of form and try to maintain it.”

With experience comes knowledge and as one of the club’s more senior players, Buchanan said he had begun passing on the benefit of his nine AFL seasons to the Swans’ younger generation.

Patrick Veszpremi – who, like Buchanan, is a small, strong Victorian with a keen eye for goal – is one of the youngsters in whom he’s taken a particular interest.

“Our club, one of our strong points is our leadership. We’ve got such good leaders around the club and it’s a big focus for us at the club to give these young blokes all the knowledge they require,” Buchanan said.

“It’s been a big advantage playing at the Swans, because you’ve got such good leaders. Whenever I can, I try to help some of the young blokes.”

Dream Team watch – Amon Buchanan is rated a $314,800 forward in Toyota AFL Dream Team 2009.