Sydney Swans senior coach Dean Cox says that he isn't concerned about former players having an insight into his team's plans for Thursday night's Opening Round clash.

Sydney goes into the new season having made changes to its list, and coaching panel. Charlie Curnow headlines the trio of inclusions alongside tall defender Jai Serong and small forward Malcolm Rosas jnr. Cox has also added Melbourne premiership coach Simon Goodwin as the director of coaching and assistant Jeremy Laidler, who has returned from the Giants.

Speaking on the Sydney Swans "More than Footy" podcast, presented by Bing Lee Cox spoke about the changes to the team and game plan in 2026.

"I think to be honest most clubs will know how other clubs play, the finer detail of that players might have a little bit more of an idea if they've been within your four walls," Cox said.

"But we've changed a lot to what we were like last year so they will know players or things that we do or some terminology if we haven't changed it, what that looks like but I think Leigh Matthews sort of said one time 'I'll give you my game plan, just try and beat us.'

"I think that's when you're a really good footy team is when you can have your game plan, all the opposition scouts can say this is the way they play, try and stop it.

"So you'd love to get to that and that's where we want to get to, a football club where you can do that sort of stuff but yeah I've had my ex-premiership captain leave and played against him the following year so I think most people have been there. Charlie obviously he was at Carlton, he knows what happens within those four walls so it's not just the other way as well."

The Swans are gearing up for a tough match against Carlton, who have a new-look lineup themselves. Cox said he was impressed by Carlton's pre-season form and his team wouldn't be taking them lightly.

"They've been good, they've been really good, you know to play both grand final teams and beat them, I think they've been really impressive," Cox said.

"Obviously with some of the talent from other clubs that they've acquired as well but also you know getting some of the players like Walsh and obviously Smith.

"He kind of looks like a bit of a Nick Daicos, the way that he moves and can't kick super long but the way he moves on angles, he looks like a very good player for the next 10 years. You can see why they were so excited about him when they got him but also to have him back, he looks fit."

Sydney hosts Carlton for Opening Night at the SCG Thursday at 7.30pm. Limited tickets are still available HERE.