When the Swans bowed out of last year's flag race in Perth, Lance Franklin was still at Hawthorn and Kurt Tippett, Sam Reid and Adam Goodes watched on from the casualty ward on the other side of the country.

The four towers will all be there this weekend to take on a Dockers outfit missing their long-time defensive rock Luke McPharlin and their first-choice centre half-back and reigning All Australian defender Michael Johnson.

Franklin's absence was keenly felt by the Swans in the loss to Richmond, particularly with Tippett spending more time in the ruck, and allowed the Tigers' No.1 defender to play on Sydney's third best forward.

"Structurally they are players you can't substitute or replicate," Jack said. "They certainly add to our mix and forward line and make us more potent down there. We've just got to make sure we give them the right opportunities and the most chances to do what they do well.

"That's a strength of our side when it's at full strength. We've got Buddy, Tippo, Adam Goodes down there, you can't put your No.1 defender on all of them. It's a strength for us but it does rely on us getting the ball in the right places for them."

The Swans will be fielding a stronger and fitter side this weekend than the 22 weary players who lined up in last year's preliminary final.

"They ambushed us in the first half. It was a hostile environment, the crowd was going nuts, it was intimidating," Jack said. "We need to get one back and we hope our crowd can create a similar sort of environment for them."

Coach John Longmire said earlier in the week the Swans were "a little bit buggered" come last September after being hit hard by injury, while one key Swan said last year before boarding the red eye at Perth Airport after the game: "I'm cooked."

Jack, however, has noticed a change in the players' conditioning this time.

"[We're] probably feeling a lot fresher than last year heading into the finals series. We were missing some players and probably a bit battered going into the finals but we feel good, we're in good form, got strong players and a strong list to pick from.

"We've got 26, 27 players to pick a side from; it makes for a tough selection but it's a good place to be in."

Franklin and Ben McGlynn appear certainties to face Fremantle after training strongly with the main group, so too Mike Pyke, who showed no effects of the illness that sidelined him last week as he completed running and ruck drills at top speed.

Craig Bird and Josh Kennedy were limited to agility running but Kennedy is expected to play after coming extremely close to returning last week.

Jack said McGlynn and Kennedy were vitally important to the Swans midfield set-up.

"We plan our structures around those players in the side," Jack said. "It's allowed some other players to come in and really improve our depth – guys like Jake Lloyd, Harry Cunningham, they can go back to what they're good at if Josh and Ben are back in the midfield. It just gives us greater depth."

Jack said he would be ready for a return bout with Ryan Crowley though the Dockers tagger may also be assigned to Sydney's other key playmakers, Dan Hannebery or Jarrad McVeigh.

"He's a quality stopper. If he comes to you, you know you'll be in for a tough day. You need to work hard to get on top," Jack said.

"You also need some help, too. Whoever he goes to, we'll look to help that player out."