The Swans have made a habit of proving their doubters wrong, missing the finals only once since former coach Paul Roos permanently joined the club in 2003. They won the 2012 flag against the odds and also defied expectations in 2016 when they made the grand final only to lose to the Western Bulldogs. Longmire's men have since fallen out of contention, losing in the second week of the finals in 2017 before being eliminated at the first hurdle last September when they were crushed by Greater Western Sydney. Parker, however, has a sharp response to anyone expecting the downward trend to continue. "You can never write us off. That's always been the case and always will be the case," Parker said. There is a changing of the guard in the Swans list. Longtime servants Dan Hannebery and Gary Rohan have gone, so too premiership hero Alex Johnson while former captains Kieren Jack and Jarrad McVeigh are more than likely in their last year.

Loading Much now rides on Callum Mills, Isaac Heeney, Zak Jones, Will Hayward, Aliir Aliir and George Hewett, who have all completed their apprenticeships. "Hopefully they're the ones who take the next step and take their games to another level," Parker said. "Our leaders do what they do each year. At some stage that next group of players need to take some ownership on where we want to go as a club. "They're at that right time, right maturity and hopefully a lot of them feel more comfortable now with 40-50 games and know how the game works, know their positions are locked in and they're the ones who will be so important for our success.

"We still have our core senior leaders and older mature-aged boys who have a lot of experience. "We realised 70 per cent our list is under 24. We have a few of the 23-26 age group who have moved on. We have that younger group - you want to progress them as quick as they can. "It is upon them to take their game to another level and the leaders to help them upskill as quickly as possible." Parker is excited to see what Mills can produce in the midfield after playing in defence in his early years. Heeney and Jones can also expect more time on the ball. "He's composed, takes a great mark, is hard when he needs to be and has a really great tank," Parker said.

"That sums up the midfielder he will be. He has a hard edge. One of those blokes who is a leader and can pick up the team and get us back on track if things do drop off." The Swans kick off their season against the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium next Saturday night.