What worked?

Hard footy: The Swans were ranked first for average tackles (72.2) and equal fifth for contested possessions (139.3) per game thanks to their experienced midfield brigade, and despite some inconsistent form, their work in close was always first class.

Kings of Sydney: The Swans maintained their dominance over cross-town rivals Greater Western Sydney with two very different wins in 2015. Round three was a tough 21-point triumph, but round 21's 89-point demolition showed the gulf between Sydney's two AFL clubs.

What failed?

Goal drought: They've never been a goal scoring juggernaut but the Swans found it hard to kick big scores in 2015. They averaged less than 13 goals per game and their accuracy was poor at just 47.9%.

Efficiency: For such an experienced side it was quite strange to see so many crucial turnovers from the Swans this season. They averaged almost 50 clangers per game, ranked sixth in the AFL, and in particular were very shaky coming out of their defensive 50.

What we said in the pre-season

AFL.com.au had the Swans finishing third with a lot depending on the Franklin/Tippett forward duo. A semi-final loss left the Swans short of that mark, but it was a line-ball result that may have been right on the money if Buddy had appeared in September.

Overall rating: 7.5/10

For such an inconsistent year, both on a week-to-week basis and during individual games, the Swans' top-four finish at the end of the regular season was a great effort, but they were never really a premiership threat, especially once the injury bug hit late in the year.

The fans' rating

The coach

John Longmire's game plan showed it worked but at times this year his players let him down, with disposal by foot a constant worry. Sam Reid as a defender worked but it took too long for Longmire to switch him into attack when the side needed goals. Contracted until the end of 2017, Longmire's adaptability will be tested in the next few seasons, despite the AFL's decision to ease trade restrictions on the club.

MVP: Josh Kennedy

The AFL's King of clearances and contested possessions produced yet another consistent season, but his numbers were extraordinary after the bye. Kennedy reeled off 11 straight games of over 30 possessions and the run was only broken in the Swans' semi-final loss to North Melbourne when he had 28.



It was another year of incredible numbers for Josh Kennedy. Picture: AFL Media



Surprise packet: Zak Jones

Found opportunities hard to come by early and only finished with 11 appearances for the season, but showed plenty of promise and should be the man to take over from Rhyce Shaw in 2016.

Get excited: Isaac Heeney

A knee injury halted his early momentum, but Heeney is a genuine star in the making and should move into the Swans midfield next year to give them some pace and class.

Disappointment: Ben McGlynn

A pre-season injury set the tone for a horrible year in which he only managed nine games thanks to hamstring and calf issues.

Best win: A 52-point thumping of Adelaide in round 18 at the SCG.

With club great Adam Goodes on personal leave to escape the scrutiny of his disgraceful treatment at the hands of opposition fans, the Swans responded to smash the Crows, as the red-and-white faithful showed an outpouring of love for the absent champ.

Low point

Goodes was vilified every time he got the footy this season, leaving a dark cloud over the game and embarrassing the sport. Lance Franklin's late season admission that he was battling mental illness was also a tough time for the club.



Adam Goodes rose above the treatment he was given by opposition supporters. Picture: AFL Media



The big questions

When will Buddy be back?

It doesn't matter. He's the biggest star in the league but to miss the Swans' finals series shows just how much Franklin is struggling, so his health is the priority.

Do the Swans have the depth to cover the loss of Goodes and Shaw?

609 games of experience will be missing in 2016 so the likes of Heeney, Jones and James Rose will need to take another step up to keep the side in flag contention.

Can the trade period provide any benefits?

Lewis Jetta looks likely to depart so the Swans need to try and get a ruckman or a key defender in that transaction if they can.

Season in a song

'I see red (and white)' – Split Enz

Who's done?

Retirements: Adam Goodes, Rhyce Shaw

Goodes retires as a dual Brownlow medallist, two-time premiership player and plenty more individual awards, so he's just about irreplaceable. Shaw turned his career around to be a vital part of the Swans' 2012 flag and his dash from defence made him a significant attacking weapon.

Delistings: Tom Derickx

Derickx found himself as the club's fourth-string ruckman this season and will struggle to stay on the list. West Australian Harry Marsh hasn't played senior footy in three seasons on the list, while injury-prone rookies Lloyd Perris and Nic Newman haven't been able to get on the park.

Trades/free agents: Jetta is likely to head back to the West should the Swans be able to come to a deal with West Coast, but he looks likely to be the only player they'll lose in the trade period.

What they need

Mike Pyke battled hard in 2015 but the Swans need a quality ruckman with more offensive output to compete against the likes of Todd Goldstein and Aaron Sandilands. Experienced defenders Ted Richards and Heath Grundy could also use some support in the key back posts.

Premiership clock



8 o'clock. The Swans will be around the mark again but unless they have a successful trade period and get Franklin back, their position as top-four locks is under threat.

Early call: 5th-8th

With a bit of luck on the injury front the Swans should play finals again, and with Heeney a star in the midfield they'll win 13-15 games to sew up a spot in the bottom half of the eight.