Sydney midfield star Luke Parker is tipping the Swans' emerging group of AFL youngsters to step up, as the Swans strive to go one better than last year.
The Swans were minor premiers and beaten grand finalists in 2016 and Parker highlighted the club's sizeable crop of second and third year players as an area of potential improvement.
"It's their time," Parker said on Tuesday.
"It's exciting. They will probably take their game to another level.
"To be able to carry the team if some of the leaders or senior players are having a bit of a down game ... to see the next generation come through is really exciting for this club."
One area Parker expects the young guns to make their presence felt is in midfield where coach John Longmire has plenty of options to replace departed ball magnet Tom Mitchell.
Parker stressed Zak Jones, Dan Robinson, George Hewett and Callum Mills had all logged midfield minutes in pre-season, along with Isaac Hewett before the latter got injured.
"To have that ability to have nine or ten guys who can rotate through midfield is a hard thing to match up on," Parker said.
He hoped star forward Lance Franklin would spark Sydney's start to the season at home to Port Adelaide on Saturday, after making a strong recovery from shoulder surgery.
"He's played two or three nearly full games and looking really fit and has that excitement and enthusiasm, which is great to see," Parker said.
"He is one of those guys who can just carry the team on the day if we're having an off day and nearly win a game off his own boot.
"To have him at his best is really exciting for this club and I hope he does perform early on in the season because it really sets the excitement for us."
The Swans could have up to seven of their grand final team out this week, but Parker felt Oliver Florent, Robbie Fox and Will Hayward were all potential debutants.
Newly appointed Swans vice-captain Parker has identified an area for personal improvement after a stellar season in which he finished runner-up in the Brownlow Medal and earned All-Australian honours.
"I want my best and my worst to be close in range to each other," Parker said.
Parker underwent off-season surgery on a knee injury he suffered a week before the grand final, but was adamant the problem didn't impact on his grand final performance.
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