Sydney Swans co-captain Dane Rampe is excited about the blend of youth and experience among the playing group heading into the 2019 season.

Young stars Isaac Heeney and Callum Mills are expected to see more time in the midfield this season following the departure of experienced midfielder Dan Hannebery in the off-season.

Rampe has hinted that key pair along with a raft of other developing Swans will have a significant impact upon how the side fares this season.

“We have a number of players that we would like to think are coming into their prime in Mills, Papley and Heeney,” Rampe told Fox Sports.

“Aliir Aliir is another one that we are hoping to get a really solid year from.

“Coupled with that I think getting some key personnel back into our side will be important for us this season.

“Mills, Melican, Naismith and a fit and healthy Sam Reid makes a big difference to our team so fingers crossed.”

Rampe was appointed one of three co-captains alongside Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker during the pre-season.

The All Australian defender is bullish about his side’s prospects heading into his seventh season in the red and white.

“We are quite confident with the group that we have got, and I genuinely mean that,” Rampe said.

“We think that over the last few years we have drafted some really good kids who are keen to learn and have shows that they are more than capable at the level.

“I think that we have a nice mixture of experience and youth, so we are quite excited and really looking forward to the start of the season.”

Heeney, Kennedy, Parker and Aliir will all line up in Friday’s AFLX tournament at Marvel stadium with the remainder of the playing list set to take on GWS Giants in a practice match at Blacktown on Friday morning.