He overcame an injury-plagued pre-season to end 2012 on a high, and now a fully-fit Dan Hannebery says he’s ready to do it again for reigning AFL premiers Sydney.

Knee surgery and shoulder concerns overshadowed the 21-year-old’s start to last year’s campaign, but that didn’t stop him from running riot in the Swans’ midfield.

Hannebery just missed out on the Norm Smith Medal, finishing second behind teammate Ryan O’Keefe as best on ground in their grand final win over Hawthorn.

The young Swans midfielder says he’s keen to build on that performance in 2013, starting with this weekend’s opener against Greater Western Sydney.

“There’s no doubt that I’ve had interrupted pre-seasons since I’ve started and so far, touch wood, I’ve been injury-free and everything’s been going really well,” Hannebery said on Thursday.

“I’ve been able to do most of the sessions and it’s good to get continuity in training.

“I feel good and I’m confident going into the season.”

Hannebery expects a fierce contest against their Sydney rivals on Saturday, even though they finished on opposite ends of the ladder last season.

“You can never take any team lightly and I think GWS have proven in the (pre-season) Cup they’ve certainly improved and we’ve definitely done our homework this week,” he said.

“They’ve got two big forwards in (Jeremy) Cameron and (Jonathon) Patton down there so our defenders have got their work cut out.

“They’re two quality players and their backline’s definitely a year more mature and stronger.”

The youngster believes recent talk of this weekend’s match being a `Battle of the Bridge’ has infuriated plenty of Swans fans.

“We’ve got fans all over Sydney (and) I think our fans in the west are probably pretty filthy,” he said.

“I think we’ve had enough talk about all these sort of bits and pieces and were pretty keen to let our actions do the talking and get out there and play footy.”