Sydney Swans coach John Longmire is calling it the X-factor after watching his forward line take shape during an intense 40 minute intra-club match today.

Longmire was excited by the form of dual Brownlow Medallist Adam Goodes and young guns Sam Reid and Gary Rohan in attack.

Goodes was on fire today, weaving his way through traffic and kicking several goals, while Reid looked good both in the air and on the ground. Red-headed Rohan lit up Lakeside Oval in Sydney with his blistering speed and ability to chase and hunt down opponents.

“The exciting thing today was you look at Gary Rohan, Sam Reid and Adam Goodes in the forward line and there is a lot of pace there, and you can throw in Ben McGlynn as well, so we’re looking at a few X- factors in our forward line which we desperately need,’’ Longmire said.

“We just have to make sure we have some excitement up there and the ability to kick goals. The exciting thing from our point of view is we have some real competition for tall spots up there, and a bit of X- factor at ground level which is good.’’

There is a healthy group of tall forwards to choose from at the moment, with Mike Pyke also able to play forward, as well as Matt Spangher.

Another of the tall brigade, Jesse White, played in defence today and Longmire emphasised that players need to be versatile in today’s football.

“We were lacking a tall defender for one of the teams today, and I thought Jesse looked ok down there. We tried him down there in a couple of the reserves games last year and he looked pretty good as well,’’ Longmire said.

“We need to be mindful that there is a bit of competition in our forward line at the moment for tall spots, which is fantastic, but we also need to try to make sure we keep teaching Jesse the elements of the game.’’

Longmire said the players’ fitness was where he wanted it to be, and they were now itching to play games. But the coaches were a little edgy as players went hard at it today.

“At this time of year you are trying to get the competitive work into the players but you have also got your fingers crossed because you don’t want any injuries,’’ Longmire said.

“They’re excited to go, ready to go, but we just have to hold them for two weeks until our first NAB Cup games against Geelong and St Kilda.’’

Midfielder Jude Bolton enjoyed getting back into some real physical footy today.

“You get sick of the tag games so it was bashing and crashing a bit today,’’ Bolton said.

“It feels like the season is upon us and that is what you want.’’

And Jude was also happy to see co-captain Goodes in fine form. “Goodesy was on fire today, he was unstoppable, I was certainly glad he was on my side today. If you have to man up on him he is very tough.’’

Goodes appears to have lost none of his pace, despite recently turning 32. Bolton says the secret is that Goodes still works hard at his game.

“It is his passion but also his desire to better himself each time. He has never rested on his laurels his entire career, and he has not lost any pace over the journey. He is extremely confident out there and that is the way we like it.’’

The Swans will play a full length intra-club practice match next Friday morning, February 17, at Lakeside Oval opposite the SCG.

Their first Pre-Season Cup games are against St Kilda and Geelong at Etihad Stadium on February 24.

The Swans begin the premiership season on March 24, with a stand-alone game against GWS at ANZ Stadium.

Click here for all the ticketing information on the Sydney Swans pre-season games - including the game against North Melbourne at Bruce Purser Reserve.