Sydney will face a star-studded Geelong side filled with forward firepower and damaging defenders in the AFL grand final but are confident they can contain the Cats' biggest threats.
The Swans expect their matchups and system can limit the influence of the Cats' stars at each end, while also being mindful their talent is spread across the ground.
The Cats' pillars include current All-Australians Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron in the forward line, as well as Tom Stewart and Mark Blicavs in defence.
"With all their rankings it's all 1, 2, 1, 2, all over the field, so they're a super team and it's a tough ask for us," Swans assistant coach Jarrad McVeigh told reporters on Thursday.
"We understand that but we back our system.
"They throw a few things up, a bit of variety, but there is also a point where you've just got to play your game."
The threat of Hawkins (64 goals) and Cameron (63) arguably looms largest for the Swans, with both spearheads within reach of overtaking Carlton's Charlie Curnow (64) to secure a rare one-two finish in the AFL goalkicking.
At the other end, the Swans will need to contain Stewart, Blicavs and a Cats' backline able to regularly cut off forward thrusts and burn teams the other way.
"They're two of the great full forwards and centre-half forwards in the game," McVeigh said.
"Whoever takes those guys on, it's going to be a tough ask but we back the team defence in to help each other out.
"You put things in place for when (Cameron) goes up the ground, he's got great speed and fitness, and then when he's deep he's dangerous as well.
"Blicavs is extremely fit, he can play ruck, he can play defence, forward, midfield.
"Stewart is an amazing defender, reads the ball really well. He's quick on turnover with his ball use; so very tough matchups."
McVeigh played 325 matches for the Swans between 2004 and 2019, including the 2012 premiership when he was co-captain alongside Adam Goodes.
The former Swans midfielder lifted the premiership trophy alongside coach John Longmire on that occasion, having watched from the stands as the club tasted grand final glory in 2005.
But McVeigh was tight-lipped about whether current co-captains Luke Parker, Dane Rampe and Callum Mills would have the honour of lifting the cup on Saturday if the Swans triumph over the Cats.
"Goodsey said to me, 'I've won one, so if we get it, it's yours," McVeigh said.
"I don't think any of the captains would care, if they've got a medal around their neck, about who is standing there."
