Sydney played very little part in last year's AFL trade period, but the off-season acquisition of West Coast champion Dean Cox as an assistant coach has proven a masterstroke.
Cox spent half of his life at the Eagles, becoming the club's games record holder then working as an assistant coach under Adam Simpson.
The game-changing ruckman's 18-year connection with West Coast ended when he opted for a change of scenery after the 2017 season.
Swans coach John Longmire, who lost highly rated assistants Stuart Dew, Josh Francou and Henry Playfair last year to rivals, is glad he did.
"Dean Cox has been great for our footy club. The moment he walked in, you could tell he's very passionate," Longmire told reporters on Wednesday.
"He's up and about, gives great energy and really knows his football. He's been a fantastic addition."
Cox has also clearly aided the development of Callum Sinclair, who has taken his game to another level after Sam Naismith's season-ending knee injury.
"He's been very good for us and certainly helped Callum," Longmire said.
Cox's career highlight came in 2006, when he helped the Eagles defeat Sydney in a dramatic grand final.
Fast forward 12 years and the 36-year-old finds himself plotting how best to end the ladder-leading Eagles' 10-match winning streak.
Sydney tackle the Eagles in a Friday night blockbuster at the SCG.
The hosts won't be short of insider information as they attempt to curb the influence of Sinclair's former teammate Nic Naitanu, who Longmire notes is "back to his best".
"Dean obviously knows West Coast," Longmire said.
"The ruck crew have got their own little - it's almost like a secret society - they get together and have a chat about the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition.
"Callum is obviously aware of what they (Naitanui and Scott Lycett) do, having played there, and Dean as well.
"But it's one thing knowing them - it's another trying to execute those plans and deliver on match day."
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