Desperate to avoid scarring, Sydney delved deeper into their review of last year's AFL grand final flop than they did the disaster of two years prior.
The Swans have been embarrassed on the game's biggest stage in two of the last three seasons - by Brisbane (2024) and Geelong (2022) - yet remain among the leading flag contenders entering the new campaign.
And captain Callum Mills, who missed last year's decider through injury, believes "anything" is possible this season after putting the 60-point thumping from the Lions in the rear vision mirror.
"We went into it in a bit more depth this year," Mills told AAP.
"We reviewed it really hard because we thought that's the best way going forward (to ensure) that it won't leave any scars.
"Sometimes to get over things you've got to go through them, so time will tell, I guess.
"But we're really looking forward to being able to implement the stuff that we really do well as a team, and also what we learnt as well."
The Swans will do so under a new leader, with long-time coach John Longmire's former assistant Dean Cox stepping up to take the reins.
"He's brought a bit of a different flavour with the way he wants the game to be played - mainly in terms of defence," Mills said.
"It's just been a fresh voice with fresh ideas."
Gun midfielder Chad Warner was among Sydney's best in the two recent grand final defeats and shapes as key to their chances this year, as speculation swirls around a possible move home to Western Australia.
Mills remains hopeful the All-Australian star will join playings including Errol Gulden, Ollie Florent, Will Hayward and James Rowbottom in re-signing with the Swans.
"I saw Errol said he'd give him a bed and a bit of money, so that will help," Mills joked.
"But we'll just create the best environment possible, not only for Chad, but for everyone.
"It's really important to us and Chad's going to be a massive part of our future going forward, so hopefully we can get him to stay."
Mills played only seven games last year, having missed the start of the campaign with a shoulder injury sustained in a 2023 'Mad Monday' incident.
He injured a calf muscle just before his return and hurt a hamstring during September, ultimately ruling him out of the grand final.
The 27-year-old has battled plantar faciitis in recent weeks and will be sidelined until after Sydney's bye in round three.
"We're really keen to get back out there," he said.
"We want to play the footy we know we can play and do it consistently."
