Sydney Swans coach John Longmire admits things are looking very different heading into the 2016 finals campaign compare to the same stage last season.

The Swans will train over the weekend through an AFL-enforced bye before ramping up preparations for next Saturday afternoon’s first Qualifying Final against the GWS Giants.

Heading into last year’s failed finals campaign, the coach lost four of his most important senior players with Luke Parker, Kieren Jack, Nick Smith and Lance Franklin all struck down with injury.

That rotten run continued after key forward Sam Reid went down with a hamstring injury in the opening week against Fremantle.

Longmire said he was feeling a little more comfortable as he prepares to tackle the Giants.

“It is good to have most of our players available,” Longmire told Big Sports Breakfast.

“We still have a couple of little niggles but it is good to have most of them available.

“Lance himself has been great this season, he has been fantastic and we are looking forward to hopefully that form continuing.”

A number of young Swans have emerged throughout the 2016 season to now cement a place in the senior side.

Longmire is confident his raw but talented outfit will be able to handle the pressure that comes with finals football.

“Our team is a lot different to what it was last year, we lost 1000 games of experience last year,” he said.

“We have introduced a lot of young kids and so far, they have been standing up which is terrific, it has been exciting for the footy team.

“We have to make sure we play a really strong, contested, two-way brand of footy.”

The coach admits lessons have been learnt from the last meeting with the Giants when his side lost by 42 points back in Round 12 at Spotless Stadium.