Sydney Swans co-captain Adam Goodes says the loss of retiring stars Barry Hall and Michael O'Loughlin offers new opportunities for the team to rebuild, and for younger players to make their mark.
"The way we're looking now, we're going to lose some players and it's going to be a really good opportunity to build another team," Goodes said.
"For me being a co-captain, it's really about developing the next generation and that's my responsibility and the responsibility of a co-captain and I look forward to doing that."
Goodes discussed the importance of the older players at the club playing a role in the development of the youngbloods, to ensure the preservation and promotion of the Club's famous culture.
"A lot of positions will be up for grabs and it'll be good to see how younger players and our new recruits really buy into what the culture is and what we started and hopefully we can really build again like we did six or seven years ago," he said.
"I really enjoy being around the younger players. They have so much enthusiasm and if I can be part of the rebuilding stage and help us get somewhere in the next three years after this one, then I really look forward to that."
On the eve of the Marn Grook Trophy match against Essendon at the SCG, Goodes said he was extremely proud to be involved in the match, and hoped to be the winning captain on the day.
Goodes' mother, Lisa May and Michael O'Loughlin's mother Muriel will attend the game and will present the trophy to the captain of the winning side.