Sydney is again defying the system aimed to bring down perennial finalists like them as they launch another tilt at a top-four berth.

Despite only one top-10 pick since 2003 and being slapped with a controversial trade ban, the Swans have managed to regenerate their list to remain a contender.

Since the start of 2016, the Swans have blooded 15 debutants who are still on their list which, along with Gold Coast and North Melbourne, is the equal of most of any club, according to Champion Data.

Diamonds: Ben Ronke and Will Hayward are some of the Swans young guns stepping up this year. Credit:AAP

The club struck pay dirt with the acquisitions of Isaac Heeney and Callum Mills via the Swans Academy, to the chagrin of their Victorian rivals. The coups to land Kurt Tippett and Lance Franklin also played significant parts, for which they were punished with trade sanctions, but recruiting boss Kinnear Beatson has also managed to find diamonds in the rough.