Sydney captain Callum Mills remains bullish about the Swans' midfield prospects despite star veteran Luke Parker being out injured for an extended period.
The former Swans skipper had surgery after breaking his arm during the last quarter of Thursday's hit-out against GWS, joining Mills on the sidelines for the opening-round clash with Melbourne at the SCG on March 7.
The 2016 All-Australian will meet specialists again this Friday to determine a return-to-play timeline.
"He's a tough bugger," Mills said on Monday of Parker.
"He came off and he said 'my arm's a bit sore' and he had a broken arm.
"So he's as tough as they come."
Fortunately for the Swans, they recruited former Collingwood vice-captain Taylor Adams and Melbourne premiership player James Jordon over the off-season to boost their midfield.
Dual All-Australian ruckman Brodie Grundy was Sydney's headline acquisition after his highly-anticipated partnership with Max Gawn didn't work out at the Demons last year.
"We've got a lot of experience there now and we're really bullish that we've got a really deep midfield as well," Mills said.
"Luke's obviously an incredible leader for us but it's a classic next-man-up type of mentality for us."
A premiership player in 2012, Parker relinquished the co-captaincy ahead of a 2024 season in which he hopes to bring up his 300th AFL game.
Mills is not expected to return until mid-campaign after injuring his shoulder while wrestling a teammate on Mad Monday last year.
In the absence of Mills and Parker, young star Errol Gulden will take on extra responsibility after finishing fourth in last year's Brownlow Medal count.
Gulden was best-on-ground in last year's elimination final defeat to Carlton, with the 21-year-old almost dragging the Swans to an upset win.
"He's constantly improving, he wants to get the best out of himself," Mills said.
"He's taking the next step with his leadership as well.
"We don't need Errol to be the best player in the world, we just need him to do his job and he does that over and over again."
