BehindTheGame previews the coming season of the Sydney Swans and Western Bulldogs football club's. Both sides competed inside last year's ladder 'log-jam' before the Swans kicked on to make the finals and the Bulldogs stumbled out of September contention.

Note: For season previews of all other clubs, please see 'Columnists'.

SYDNEY

Last Year
In 2007 the Swans won 12 games, lost ten and drew 1 to finish 7th in a season that was eventually put to bed by Collingwood - whom emphatically disposed of Paul Roos' side in week 1 of the finals series.

On-going injury troubles for co-captain and full forward Barry Hall put a dent on the Swans' September ambitions, as did their inability to consistently find enough goals to get over the line.

Questions have since been raised regarding the currently aging playing group, and Roos has responded in drafting and trading in an abundance of youth.

Jarred McVeigh, Nick Malceski and Amon Buchanan showed the Swans won't be push-overs when 2008 arrives though. All completed break-out years. McVeigh and Buchanan became important parts of the midfield, whilst Malceski - in the absence of injured Tadgh Kennelly - acted quarter-back across half back.

Strengths

• Backline drive
  As Malceski, leaping Leo Barry, Kennelly and new recurit Martyn Mattner do best - Sydney's greatest strength is their drive off the half-back line.

• Defensive pressure
  Along with fluency from defense, the Swans' defensive pressure across the board is a large asset to their game. Underrated ball-winner and run-with players Brett Kirk and Luke Ablett earn their far share of the ball, and shut down the direct opposition brilliantly at the stoppages.

• Balanced midfield
  Also solid defensive hard runners Nic Fosdike and Jared Crouch create a more than solid base for pacey midfielder Jude Bolton, and attacking utility and Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes - whom is coming off a stellar end to season 2007. Given his versatility, amazing skill and sheer athleticism, Goodes is the hardest match-up in the competition.

• Big totals
  With such focus on shutting down the opposition, the Swans' weakness is often kicking big scores. But with Hall ready to make up for a poor 2007, mercurial forward Nick Davis coming off a great pre-season, and veteran Michael O'Loughlin in good form, it's hard to see why the Swans cannot improve their goal tally. All-Austrlian forward flanker Ryan O'Keefe will also be looking to re-establish his 2006 form.

• Tall backmen
  Roos' other worry going into season 2008 would be his lack of conditioned key backman. Although Barry has been a stalwart back there in recent seasons he's not getting any younger and, with only Robert-Thomson and mid-sized back pocket Craig Bolton his other options, the Swans may be stretched by a side who possesses a tall-timber statured forward line.

• Top-class trio
  Freak superstar Adam Goodes, lead-by-example Brett Kirk and 2007-recruited ruck-man Peter Everitt is the trio the Swans will look to through the midfield.

• Tadgh Kennelly
  Dashing Irishman Kennelly in full flight is essential to the team's season. Following a season ruined by knee injuries, the ex-Gaelic footballer will be ready to roll.

• Barry Hall
  Roos will be hoping Hall can stay injury free, after the tough full forward suffered knee problems and sight complaints throughout 2007.

• Class
  Without a doubt the Dogs' major strength is pace and disposal by foot. Classy flankers and on-ballers such as Lindsy Gilbee, Ryan Griffen, Daniel Giansircusa, Adam Cooney, Jason Akermanis and Nathan Eagleton tear sides apart with their deadly disposal whilst often running teams off their feet.

• Key positions
  Other than Brian Lake, Rodney Eade's side lack key position targets inside forward 50 and also down back. It's certainly an area Eade has looked to address, with high-flying Demon Russell Robertson looked at. However Eade's football department voted against the recruitment of 'Robbo', forcing Eade into the plucking of then-Crow Scott Welsh.

• Hardness
  With countless quantity of attacking flankers and midfielders, the Dogs lack the required defensive pressure across the board to progress in to the deep end of September.

• Ben Hudson
  New ruck recruit Hudson has a major role to play for his new club, with the giant expected to play to the level he did with Adelaide in 2007 and continue to improve, whilst pairing up with fellow ruckman Peter Street.

• Brad Johnson & Robert Murphy
  Medium sized forwards Brad Johnson and Robert Murphy will also play key roles for the club, as the inclusion of ex-Crow forward Scott Welsh looks to relieve goal pressure from the aforementioned pair.