With buckets of young talent fighting for selection and its fittest squad in years, the Sydney Swans are anticipating a cracker start to their 2010 AFL campaign.

Coach Paul Roos on the weekend declared the Swans were coming into the year with their best lead-up preparation in almost a decade.

Ahead of their round one clash against St Kilda on March 27, the Swans are looking rosy after downing North Melbourne 14.15 (99) 8.9 (57) at Narrandera on Friday.

They will field a full-strength squad for the final practice match - minus one lone omission, former Lion forward Daniel Bradshaw, who's battling a knee injury.

That the squad was fit and healthy was a positive sign for things to come, Roos said.

"We're probably the fittest we've been going into the pre-season and ... it does make a fairly dramatic difference," he said.

"Certainly since the 2003 season we haven't had a run like this.

"It doesn't necessarily translate into your in-season ... (but) it might give you an advantage in round one, two and three.

"We've had a good pre-season, so the only question is will Braddy play and hopefully he will, but apart from that we've got no excuses going against St Kilda."

It will be a battle for selectors to come up with the final 22, Roos predicted, with three or so spots still up for grabs.

Young draftees Gary Rohan and Lewis Jetta both had a reasonably quiet night on Friday, but Roos said the two were still strong contenders to start.

Rohan had to come off in the third quarter against North after cramping up, although he was back for the end of the fourth.

"That's the thing with the young players, when the tempo of the game goes up a bit," Roos said.

"They're still young, Lewis is a bit different, he's a bit more seasoned, whereas Gary cramps a bit and he's still young and still learning.

"But yeah, I've been rapt with their pre-season and they're very much in the mix for round one."

Roos has also backed the pre-season competition amid recent debate about its usefulness.

Former Bombers skipper Matthew Lloyd believes it's unnecessary, while AFL boss Andrew Demetriou has flagged possible format changes to the season in general when the league gets its 17th and 18th teams.

Demetriou is hinting at perhaps a 24 round season and a 10-team finals format once Gold Coast (2011) and Greater Western Sydney (2012) join the competition.

Roos says the season shouldn't be any longer than 26 weeks.

"You wouldn't want to play anymore football in terms of you've got four practice games and then 22 rounds.

"You'd hate to think you'd have to play more than 26 games for the season - that's pretty big wear and tear on the players."

But whatever happens, Roos hopes coaches, players and clubs will be able to have their say, although he admits he won't be around to enjoy it.

"There's a lot of work to do.

"But to be perfectly frank, it's not my concern because I won't be there," he said with a smile.

Roos is due to retire at the end of the 2010 season.

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