Veteran AFL coach Mick Malthouse has always loved talking up his team's underdog status and, this week, he has ample material.
"Without a doubt, they have the strongest and deepest list I've seen in football," the Carlton coach said of Sydney ahead of their Saturday night clash at the SCG.
"My count is 17 or 18 of their players that aren't playing would fit comfortably into a lot of teams."
Sydney are top of the table and, if they beat Carlton, the Swans equal their club record-winning streak of 12.
The Blues, by contrast, are out of finals contention and, last week, ended a five-game losing streak.
"These are the challenges you love as a coach," Malthouse said.
Malthouse said Sydney had benefited from the controversial cost of living allowance in their player payments, but that alone did not explain their success.
"It's very good recruiting and I also think, of course, you have an advantage when you have a substantial financial advantage," he said.
"But you can have a financial advantage and get it wrong.
"Sydney's recruitment has been very, very astute and very patient."
Another key for Malthouse is that since Paul Roos' first full season as coach in 2003, the Swans have finished out of the finals only once.
Like Hawthorn and Geelong, that continual success means Sydney have had the luxury of being more patient with player developments.
"It's almost a premiership trait or a grand final trait," he said.
Malthouse is also confident that despite this disappointing season, Carlton are on the right track.
"We're patient enough to get it right," he said.
"There are people saying it's five or six years - that's rubbish.
"Your side improves very, very quickly if you're prepared to get it right.
"Don't panic about the results - just make sure your systems in place are right."
Meanwhile, Malthouse has warned Carlton veteran Chris Judd not to extend his playing career by one season too many.
Malthouse said it would be Judd's decision whether he continued beyond this season.
"My advice to all players - go when there's a little bit left," Malthouse said.
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