Sydney Swans coach John Longmire is looking to replicate the same performance produced against GWS in Sunday's third and final JLT Community Series clash in Albury.

Sydney square off against a side that Longmire has declared to be one of the league's form teams in Alan Richardson's Saints, describing the upcoming hitout as the perfect opportunity to "sharpen up" ahead of Round 1 in a fortnight’s time.

The conditions will be slightly different to those experienced last Friday night, with forecasts predicting clear skies and temperatures topping 30 degrees, meaning a dry Lavington Sports Ground.

Sydney adapted to the wet weather better than its cross-town rivals to prevail by 13 points at Blacktown International Sportspark.

It is difficult to predict which side the deck will suit more this weekend given both teams, when at their best, pride themselves on their hard-run and pressure-charged style of football.

Either way, Longmire believes if his side can build on the form shown against GWS they will put themselves in a strong position to win and take some valuable form into the March 25 opener against Port Adelaide.

"It's great to be able to play a team (St Kilda) in really good form," Longmire said on Friday.

"They recruited well over the summer months, strengthened their team and only (marginally) missed out on the top eight last year so they're playing some really good footy.

"It's a great chance to be able to sharpen up against one of the most in-form teams in the competition.

"We’re pretty happy with how we went last week. GWS is an absolute quality team and there were some really good signs in that game that we want to keep building on, there’s no questions about that."

First-year players Ollie Florent, Darcy Cameron and Robbie Fox earned another opportunity to stake their claims for a senior berth. If all three take to the park on Sunday – the 27-man squad will be cut by three and announced before the first bounce – they would have played in each pre-season game and therefore strengthen their hopes for an early-season debut.

Will Hayward also retained his spot after wearing the red and white for the first time against the Giants.

Considering a host of big outs including Isaac Heeney (illness), Kieren Jack (hip), Jarrad McVeigh (calf) and Tom Papley (knee/shin), Longmire is banking on his healthy senior players to guide their younger and more inexperienced teammates through.

"We think we’ve got some exciting young players coming through, who'll get an opportunity this week again and press their claims for early in the season,” Longmire added.

Our senior players, the majority of those guys have been in good form as well, so it gives them an opportunity to play against a real pressure team.”

The NEAFL Swans are in action today against GWS in their first practice match of the season, with Aliir Aliir returning to competitive football for the first time in the clash at Olympic Park’s Tom Wills Oval.

Longmire says the key defender, who will be managed throughout the four quarters, will be aiming for a strong hitout this afternoon. He’ll also get a run in next Saturday’s practice match against Sydney Uni before the coaches consider the team for Round 1.