Like North, it has been a lacklustre start to the year for the Swans, who currently sit 16th on the ladder with just two wins.

Having defeated Carlton in Round 3 and Essendon in a nail-biter on Friday night, the Swans are struggling to rediscover the form that saw them become one of the most dominant sides in the modern era.

While results aren’t falling their way at the moment, they have the experience and class to turn their season around.

In 2017, they were in this exact position, and managed to storm home to win 15 of their last 18 matches to finish sixth on the ladder and make the finals.

Veterans Luke Parker and Josh Kennedy have led from the front in the midfield, as the likes of Callum Mills, Dane Rampe and Jake Lloyd hole the fort down back.

The Swans’ backs have certainly had their work cut out for them, playing against some of the game’s most dangerous forward-lines.

With players such as Lewis Melican, Colin O’Riordan and Aliir Aliir averaging 25 games in defence, the need for Mills, Rampe and Lloyd to stand tall and lead from the front, who average 116 matches, is crucial.

However, Melican and Aliir have both found continuity in their games in recent weeks, with Melican preparing to play his third consecutive match, while Aliir has featured in each match this season.

Up forward, the goal-kickers are still finding their feet, but are coming off an impressive outing against the Bombers.

Many would think that losing star forward Lance Franklin would negatively impact the Swans, however they may be functioning better without him.

In his absence, they’ve managed to find a lot more avenues to goal which makes them a lot more unpredictable.

The likes of Tom McCartin, Nick Blakey, Will Hayward, Robbie Fox and Jackson Thurlow are all thriving.

32-year-old Franklin is a chance to return this week, and if he does, he could rediscover the form that has made him such a formidable force.