Only a flag will satisfy Sydney this year as the Swans seek to expunge the nightmarish memories of their 2014 grand final capitulation to Hawthorn.

Of course the notoriously low-key Swans are unlikely to make a public declaration along those lines, but few will doubt the fire of intent that burns within the breast of each player associated with that awful day last September.

“If you don’t show up on the day ready to play, then you’re going to get beaten by anyone and I think we’ve learnt a lot from that,” Swans’ 2014 best and fairest and midfield dynamo Luke Parker said.

“We know how we’ve got to go about it to get back there and give ourselves another opportunity.

“The boys are really driving this year and willing to do everything it takes to get back there.”

On paper, the 2014 minor premiers are well placed to compete for a third flag and fifth grand final appearance in 11 seasons.

Sydney retain one of the most powerful lists in the competition, with plenty of proven performers across all lines.

The only major loss from their 2014 grand final team was All-Australian half-back Nick Malceski.

Coach John Longmire has no shortage of potential replacements, among them Jarrad McVeigh, who won All-Australian selection in 2013 playing in the back six.

Longmire said other options included speedsters Gary Rohan, Lewis Jetta and Harry Cunningham, plus Jeremy Laidler, who along with backup ruckman Tom Derickx, last year added to Sydney’s long list of valuable recruits from interstate over the past two and a half decades.

Always a prominent player in the trade market, Sydney couldn’t participate last year, but Longmire believes he can squeeze more out of the talent that was already on their roster.

“The players we’ve got on our list, I’m confident with our younger kids coming on,” Longmire told AAP.

“We would expect those to keep improving.”

The likes of Lloyd, Cunningham, Tom Mitchell, Zak Jones, Brandon Jack, Dean Towers and emerging ruckmen Toby Nankervis and Sam Naismith will ensure the Swans have plenty of youth to supplement and push their more experienced colleagues.

Highly-rated Swans Academy prospect Isaac Heeney has impressed in the pre-season and could be the next young gun to break into the senior side.

The defensive stocks include stalwarts Ted Richards, Nick Smith, Rhyce Shaw, Heath Grundy and the emerging Dane Rampe.

Remarkably resilient veterans Richards and Grundy remain the key pillars of the backline, with Sydney needing to develop more cover in their positions.

To that end, Longmire has made no secret of his desire for key forward Sam Reid to spend more time in the backline this season, though the Swans are experts in getting undersized defenders to successfully fill the key backline posts.

“We know that in the history of key position players at this club, whether it’s Craig Bolton or Leo Barry, that you don’t necessarily have to be huge,” Longmire said.

The midfield is crammed with talent in Parker, Josh Kennedy, co-captains McVeigh and Kieren Jack, Dan Hannebery Ben McGlynn, Craig Bird and Lloyd.

Twin towers Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett are a formidable key forward duo, though the latter could spend more time in the ruck this season as backup to Mike Pyke.

SYDNEY

Coach: John Longmire

Captains: Jarrad McVeigh, Kieren Jack

Last five years: 5-6-1-4-2

Premierships: 5 (1909, 1918, 1933, 2005, 2012)

Key five: Lance Franklin, Kieren Jack, Josh Kennedy, Jarrad McVeigh, Luke Parker

One to watch: Lance Franklin. The human highlights reel kicked 79 goals in his first season in the Harbour City and again looms as a key figure as the Swans attempt to atone for their grand final defeat.

Ins: Abe Davis (Sydney academy), Isaac Heeney (Sydney academy), Jack Hiscox (Sydney academy), Jake Lloyd (Sydney rookie), Xavier Richards (Sydney rookie), Daniel Robinson (Sydney rookie), James Rose (Sturt SANFL).

Outs: Matthew Dick (delisted), Jordan Lockyer (delisted), Nick Malceski (Gold Coast), Tim Membrey (St Kilda), Ryan O’Keefe (retired), Lewis Roberts-Thomson (retired), Tommy Walsh (delisted).

Best line-up:

B: Nick Smith, Ted Richards, Dane Rampe

HB: Rhyce Shaw, Heath Grundy, Gary Rohan

C: Kieren Jack, Josh Kennedy, Ben McGlynn

HF: Dan Hannebery, Lance Franklin, Harry Cunningham

F: Adam Goodes, Kurt Tippett, Sam Reid

R: Mike Pyke, Luke Parker, Jarrad McVeigh

I: Craig Bird, Lewis Jetta, Jake Lloyd, Tom Mitchell

Predicted finish: 2nd

Betting (William Hill)

To win the flag: $4.75

To make the top eight: $1.07