6 Swans to watch in 2011

THE COACH: John Longmire

The Sydney Swans new coach has big shoes to fill after the retirement of Paul Roos in 2010 but rest assured Swans fans, this man-mountain has the credentials.

Longmire, 40, grew up in the NSW Riverina before heading to Melbourne while still a teenager to play for North Melbourne. He finished as a premiership player and one of the Kangaroos greatest goal kickers during a 200-game career from 1988 to 1999.

Longmire moved to Sydney in 2002 and worked as an assistant coach to Roos for eight seasons, ensuring the transition into the senior coaching role has been a smooth one for the coach, the players and the Club.

Longmire's theme during the pre-season has been that every player at the Club, from rookies to veterans, must focus on constant improvement. He can be a hard marker but the big fella also has a hearty laugh, an easy manner, and good communication skills.

As to the constant questions about how his coaching will differ from Roos, he says: "We're different people so of course my style will be different, but I've learned an enormous amount from Roosy during the many years we worked together.''

THE SPARKPLUG: Lewis Jetta

What a story Lewis Jetta was in 2010! The young indigenous man from Western Australia slotted straight into the Swans senior line-up and became the darling of fans.

And like all good yarns, Jetta's story was equal parts excitement, tension and drama.

His bursts of speed down the wing when he'd evade the opposition, bounce the ball and launch long kicks, got fans out of their seats in excitement at the SCG and ANZ Stadium.

But here's the rub: hard as he tried, Jetta couldn't kick straight. Week after week he'd have shots at the big sticks close in, only for them to swing away and miss.

Finally, after kicking 19 behinds in a row - an uneviable and uncoveted AFL record - Jetta managed to slot one through for a goal in the last quarter of the Round 19 match against Hawthorn, nearly five months into the season.

The SCG crowd erupted as one and many fans named it as the highlight of their season. They'll be behind him all the way again in 2011. 

THE PRODIGY: Dan Hannebery

There is little Daniel Hannebery can't do. The boy wonder made his debut in 2009 while still at school in Melbourne (he would travel to Sydney to play at weekends) and proceeded to go from strength to strength in 2010.

On no less than three occasions the 19-year-old was judged‘Best-On-Ground' by the umpires, receiving nine Brownlow votes in his first full season at the Club, - a rare feat.

So outstanding was Hannebery's season, he won the AFL's coveted Rising Star Award, and then stunned the 800-strong audience at the Award ceremony with a speech worthy of someone twice his age. Leadership rumbles have already begun.

The great news for Swans fans is that young Dan's pre-season has been brilliant. He's out-run everyone at the Club in the all-important 3km endurance tests, and if last year is any guide, that will translate to the field where he's expected to take a leading role in the Swans midfield.

Around the Club Hannebery is known as "chit chat'' because, well, he loves to run off at the mouth, whether it's on the field (to team-mates) or off field (to anyone who'll listen). He attributes both his big mouth and big kick to the fact he's come from a big family where you had to make yourself heard!

Certainly he's doing that in AFL circles...

THE TOUGHNUT: Kieren Jack

This local NSW product took his game to a whole new level in a stellar 2010 season.

In claiming the 2010 Bob Skilton medal, Jack became the Swans youngest Club Champion since Michael O'Loughlin.

Not that his pedigree wasn't impressive enough. Jack is the son of former rugby league legend Garry Jack, a hero to Balmain Tigers in the ‘80s, and Jack Junior's rise is all the more remarkable given he didn't adopt Australian football until midway through his teens, and worked his way in to the senior squad via the Club's rookie list.

Throughout 2010, Jack thrilled Swans fans with his mix of tough, uncompromising football and classy bursts from the midfield.

The 24-year-old led the Club in tackles and booted 21 goals. By season's end he had transformed his game from that of an expert shutdown player, to one renowned for his attacking qualities, and whom opposition coaches could simply not ignore.

With just 71 senior games under his belt, Jack is bound to be an improver again in 2011 and beyond.

THE ALLROUNDER: Gary Rohan

Though selected by the Sydney Swans with a prized first round draft pick in 2009, Rohan surprised many by playing nine senior matches for the Swans last season.

And the flame haired youngster from a farm in the rural Victorian town of Cobden, showed plenty in his debut season to justify the Swans high opinion of him.

Rohan is a ‘Mr Versatile', capable of playing roles all over the ground, with blistering speed and aggressive tackling his strongest attributes. Promisingly for the season ahead, Rohan has looked at home on the Swans' half back line during pre-season fixtures, dashing from defence with exhilarating speed leaving his opponents grabbing at air.

In a game where defence is the best form of attack, Rohan's relentless tackling will be a huge advantage for the Swans in 2011. In a recent trial game against Collingwood, the country colt laid a match-high seven tackles... including an amazing goal-saving effort that saw him close an incredible 150 metres on his opponent!

THE LEGEND: Adam Goodes

He may be about to enter his fourteenth season with the Sydney Swans, but Adam Goodes has the look of an enthusiastic rising star as he bounds around the field.

Age has not wearied the dual Brownlow medallist, nor stopped him having one his best preseasons on record. In fact, from Day One of preseason training, Goodes recorded personal best times on the track and has looked on target for another vintage season.

Despite his veteran status of 276 senior matches, Goodes remains one of the AFL's most exciting players to watch. In 2011, Goodes will again co-captain the Swans alongside Jarrad McVeigh.

If Father Time has him tagged it aint showing. In 2010 Goodes led the Swans' goal kicking with a tally of 41. And in 2011 Goodes is expected to once again split his time between the midfield and forward line, causing headaches for opposition coaches.

Be assured Swans fans: Goodes is on a mission this year. In a recent preseason hit-out against the Gold Coast Suns, he booted a fat bag of six goals in a ruthlessly dominant display. Fans will be hoping for more of that from their beloved Captain Blood in 2011.

Sydney Swans 2011 home game planner

More festivals, fairs and large events in Sydney? Sign up to our weekly newsletter