Sydney Swans defender Dane Rampe has his sights set on more time through the midfield this season after grinding out his best pre-season to date.

The 24-year-old has worked hard with midfield coach Josh Francou throughout the pre-season with the aim of spending more time through the middle of the ground.

"Speaking to Josh that's what he's got in mind for me, in the intra club I did a bit of work in there and I really enjoyed it," Rampe said.

"I'm hoping to feature a little bit there. I haven't really had a chance over the NAB Cup to do it we've had a few players in the backline out.

“It's something I'm really looking forward to, should the opportunity arise.”

Rampe understands the challenge he has set himself in trying to break into one of the most consistent midfield groups in the competition.

"Luke Parker, Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery, Kieren Jack - there is a whole host of [midfielders] that are pretty good to learn off,” he said.

“If I'm doing alright competing against them, I'd be doing alright against anyone else."

The speedy youngster is likely to play an important role in filling the void left by the departure of Nick Malceski at the end of last season.

"We're going to take that team approach, with not just one person filling the role, there will be a whole host of different names," he said.

"Hopefully that's going to be one of the strengths of our year, that unpredictability and versatility in the backline."

The Swans are expected to field a near strength side for Sunday’s clash against GWS in Canberra as they build up to the season opener against Essendon in just over a fortnight.

"It's all well and good playing NAB Cup and trial games but getting the full team out there in a proper dress rehearsal it really feels like it's getting near and getting ready to go,” Rampe said.

"GWS seem to going from strength to strength, so we're really preparing ourselves for a hard-fought game.”

“I'm assuming they'll have close to a full strength team as well, so it should be a really good hit out."