SYDNEY Swans co-captain Adam Goodes says his club is in an excellent position to attack the coming season despite some injury concerns going into round one.
Daniel Bradshaw (knee), Craig Bolton (Achilles) and Nick Malceski (knee) definitely won't line up against Melbourne in the season opener, while doubt remains over the fitness of Tadhg Kennelly (knee) and Lewis Roberts-Thomson (hamstring).
Goodes, however, is confident the Swans can hit the ground running on the back of a solid pre-season.
"It's disappointing to have guys who can have such a massive impact on our team out. They are a loss but at the same time it's creating opportunities for other people to fill their shoes," Goodes said.
"Craig Bolton's only a couple of weeks away from joining the main group in training, but with Braddy it is more of a week-to-week thing.
"With us though it's never about who's out of our best 22, it's about the 22 players we can actually pick and send out on the ground.
"In that sense that is our best 22 and we know that those guys will be able to get the job done."
Prima facie, Goodes is in peak condition having played four practice matches in preparation for the season; and he looms as a key figure in the Swans' bid for early wins in John Longmire's first year in charge.
Goodes said the long-time assistant to Paul Roos would make sure there was a seamless transition from last year to this season, and warned the rest of the competition not to take his side lightly given the departures of Roos and talismanic leader Brett Kirk.
"We'll surprise a lot of teams out there with how we play our footy this year," he said.
"Having a new coach and new people around the club has really energised everyone and we're really hungry for success.
"I think you can look at pre-season form in so many different ways, but we're really happy with the way we've been able to implement our game plan and play some blokes in different positions.
"Those kids who had breakout seasons last year have already shown how much they've improved again for us. As leaders we need to continually improve and drive the group and that's something I'm looking forward to this year.
"To be honest I'm sick of talking about how we're going to go in round one. I just really want to get out there into the action against the Demons."
Adam Goodes is a $393,200 forward/midfielder in the Toyota AFL Dream Team competition.