Sydney is leaving no stone unturned as they attempt to return to the top of the mountain after narrowly falling short of the ultimate success in 2024.
In a pre-season of change, which saw Dean Cox take over from John Longmire, Swans midfielder James Rowbottom believes a summer of "little tweaks to game plan and positional changes" will have the Bloods contending again.
Cox has made it clear that he wants more versatility in his players, which has seen multiple stars tested in new roles.
One of those positional moves has been Tom McCartin as a key forward, which Swans fans saw a glimpse of in last week's pre-season clash against Gold Coast.
McCartin - who was originally drafted as a key forward - returned to his roots to striking effect, slotting four goals and providing a level of predictability that is needed in the position.
The other notable swap has been pressure forward Sam Wicks being trialled across the half back line.
"Tommy was a forward already, so he's actually enjoying going back to his roots and remembering how to kick a goal," Rowbottom told Zero Hanger.
"He's taken a lot out of being a back and using that to learn how to develop his forward craft again.
"And Wicksy is enjoying (the switch). He's got a bit of mongrel in him so he'll be able to play on some smaller forwards and give them hell."
Tom McCartin's move forward is looking good already 👀#AFLSunsSwans pic.twitter.com/JUisW5feAt
— AFL (@AFL) February 28, 2025
As Wicks and McCartin lockdown their new positions, Cox will also need to find replacements for midfield pair Errol Gulden and Callum Mills for at least the first month of the 2025 campaign.
Mills was confirmed to have sustained a tear of his plantar fascia and has subsequently been ruled out until at least Round 3.
Gulden fractured his ankle in the Suns' pre-season clash with no clear timeline on his return.
"We had a lot of young boys step up and fill that midfield, forward and back roles that hadn't previously got a taste of senior footy before," Rowbottom added.
"We've got a lot of boys who'll take that opportunity with both hands.
"'Gus' (Angus Sheldrick) had another great pre-season and he's raring to go. He's played a lot of good footy and finally got a good run at it with his body, which has been an issue for him.
"But I hope to see him playing."
A key part in filling that midfield void will be the humble Rowbottom himself.
The combative 24-year-old has steadily built his game since being drafted with Pick 25 in the 2018 National Draft.
He's played 117 games and has rarely missed a match in the past three seasons, recording 24 outings each campaign, hinting at his durability.
"To be honest, I'm very routine based," Rowbottom said.
"In terms of my durability, that's just the luck of the draw at times. I tend to just try and train hard and not miss a session and stick to my routine.
"And that puts me in good stead and I'll keep doing that whilst adding strings to my bow.
"Durability is something I've always valued."
Rowbottom led the league for tackles (186) in 2024 and showcased his leadership through voice and action, which is something the Swans will need in Mills and Gulden's absence.
"There's definitely a group of us that are sort of earmarking that next sort of bracket of leaders and have played a lot of footy together and sort of (wanting to take) that mantle together," he added.
Rowbottom and the Swans will kick off their 2025 season with a highly-anticipated contest against Hawthorn at the SCG on Friday.
