Sydney captain Josh Kennedy says the top four remains a goal for the Swans despite an underwhelming pre-season and the likely absence of superstar Lance Franklin for round one.

After missing out on the finals last season for the first time since 2009, the expectations are not high for the Swans to return to the September action.

Premiership contenders for much of John Longmire's reign, the Swans are among the outsiders for this year's flag with some bookmakers rating them as long as a $61 chance to lift the cup.

In a sign of how their rating has fallen among their rivals, only one of the other 17 club captains believe the once-feared Swans will make the finals.