The pre-season competition has undergone some significant changes this season, with the familiar round-robin format of year’s past, replaced by the NAB Challenge.

This year’s competition, which has already begun and will be played over 18 consecutive days until Sunday March 1, will see each team play two matches at venues across the country and will not include a finals series of pre-season premiership.

In the lead up to the Sydney Swans first NAB Challenge match, sydneyswans.com.au has answered some of the FAQs about the pre-season competition.

When does the Swans NAB Challenge campaign kick off?

The Sydney Swans will take on GWS this Thursday, February 20 at Canberra’s StarTrack Oval from 7:10pm. The team will then return to Sydney for their second NAB Challenge match on Thursday February 27, when the Swans host the West Coast Eagles at Blacktown International Sportspark, also from 7:10pm.

The Swans will then round off their pre-season campaign with a practice match against the Brisbane Lions at Brisbane’s Burpengary Regional Sports Park on Saturday March 8 at 2:30pm.

How many players can each team use?

The NAB Challenge rules allow for each team to use 26 players for each match, with six on the interchange bench and two substitutes. NAB Challenge rules also allow for substitute players to be reset after half time.

How long do the games go for?

The games run for the same length of time as regular season match, which is 20 minutes plus time on. The teams also get a six minute break at quarter time and three-quarter time and 20 minutes at half time.

How does the scoring system work?

For the 12th consecutive season, the nine-point ‘super goal’ is in play in this year’s NAB Challenge for goals kicked outside of the 50m arc. The traditional six points for a regular goal and one point for a behind remain in place.

Will the matches be televised?

The Swans’ two NAB Challenge matches against GWS and West Coast will be televised on Fox Footy. The club’s pre-season practice match against the Lions will not be televised, but highlights will be available on SwansTV following the match.

Who has played the most pre-season games for the Swans?

Adam Goodes has played the most pre-season games for the Swans with 25, while Rhyce Shaw has also played 25 pre-season games in total.

Ted Richards is close behind with 23 pre-season matches to his name.

Who has kicked the most pre-season goals?

While none of his games have been in the red and white, Lance Franklin leads the way in the pre-season goal count with 33 goals and three super goals.

Adam Goodes is next in line with 23 pre-season goals and one super goal.