Swans Director of Coaching and Development John Blakey says it’s the form of the Sydney Swans younger players that’s the most pleasing part of the Club’s strong start to the season.

Aliir Aliir will become the fourth debutant in the first six rounds for the Swans, along with Callum Mills, Tom Papley and George Hewett.

The progression of that trio, along with the consistency among the senior Swans players, has driven the side to a 4-1 start to the season.

Blakey says it’s the development of the young players at both AFL and NEAFL level that is continuing to excite coaching staff.

“They have had a really good start to the year in the NEAFL and obviously they have won the four games, but the pleasing part is many of the boys are in really good form,” Blakey said.

“A lot of the guys we would be happy to play in the senior side right at this moment.

“You look at the guys who we have in the AFL side this year that are first-year players in Mills, Papley, Robinson and Hewett .. they are going really well.

“You can see how we have some real youth in that side at the moment, so we are really pleased with how the youngsters are tracking.”

The Swans take on the Lions in a Round 6 encounter at the Gabba on Sunday.

Brisbane has won just the one game so far this year and lost to the Bulldogs last week. But Blakey says the Lions can’t be underestimated.  

“They have been a bit up and down after being really good against the Gold Coast two weeks ago, and they probably weren’t pleased with their performance against the Bulldogs on the weekend,” he said.

“They will be disappointed with their contested ball last week and I am sure they will come out and really challenge us in that area.

“We have to prepare for their best and we know with their best football they can really score quickly, so that is something we need to be right on top of.”

The Swans clash with the Lions kicks off at 1.10pm on Sunday at the Gabba.