Fitness usually outweighs football in most AFL sides’ pre-season programs, but the Sherrin has been one of Sydney’s cornerstones as they set about arresting a worrying trend of ineffective disposals.

The Swans played two weeks of finals in 2011, and there were plenty of positives for coach John Longmire in his first season at the helm of the club.

However, there was also room for improvement.

Perhaps most alarming for Longmire was his side’s tendency to turn the ball over.

The Swans finished the 2011 season with a 69 per cent effective disposal percentage, the worst in the league.

As such, the Swans’ summer hasn’t just been about sliming down and shaping up.

“We were kicking footys on the first day back,” co-captain Adam Goodes said on Thursday.

“That was one area that we saw as an area that we really needed to improve on.

“It’s no secret we want to improve our skill efficiency.

“We turn the ball over too often – under pressure and when we’re not under pressure.

“So from day one, we’ve really wanted to improve in that area.”

The dual Brownlow medallist, who is partway through his 15th AFL pre-season, is once again in fine fettle.

“I’m in just as good a nick as I was last pre-season, and last pre-season was one of the better ones I’ve had in a long while,” he said.

“Practice matches are coming up soon, and that’s the true test of how well you’ve been running.”

Irishman Tommy Walsh will be one of the Swans hoping to shine in the pre-season competition.

Walsh joined the club from St Kilda in trade week, and Goodes has been impressed.

“He’s a fantastic competitor and he really wants to be a part of our senior 22,” he said.

“He didn’t get many opportunities at St Kilda and we’re really looking forward to him playing a vital role for our footy club – whether it’s forward or back.

“…(But) it’s hard to single out guys because everyone has given their all this pre-season.”

Goodes said there was genuine respect for Greater Western Sydney ahead of the stand-alone start the AFL season on March 24.

“You approach them like any other team, you respect them. They’ve got some fantastic talent there.”

The 32-year-old was one of 20 AFL footballers to conduct clinics and play a demonstration match in Blacktown on Thursday as part of a Cadbury promotion.