The former premiership-winning defender said there were plenty of correlations between the Swans of today compared to their last two premiership-winning teams.

They are relatively settled, in strong form and have close to a full list to choose from a fortnight out from the start of the finals series.

But the biggest difference, Bolton said, was this year's group was the most talented Swans side he had seen.

"The strength of this current midfield to attack and run forward to create opportunities for their really potent forward line is something they're better equipped than our side in '05," Bolton said.

"If you're looking at it holistically I'd say this team is as well prepared as any team, be it 2005 or 2012.

"It's hard to argue there's been a better Swans team than this in terms of pure line-up on paper."

Bolton said one of the big unknowns heading into the season would be how a forward line containing Lance Franklin, Kurt Tippett, Adam Goodes and Sam Reid would gel in their first season.

The Swans rank fourth for points scored, Franklin is on track to win the club's first Coleman Medal since Tony Lockett in 1998 and there is more improvement to come from Tippett as he builds his match fitness.

"There doesn't seem to be any problems there," Bolton said. "They seem to work beautifully together."

The Swans have also enjoyed a fortunate run with injury. They have used 32 players this year, the fewest of any side, compared to 31 two years ago and 32 in 2005 when they made only one change in the last eight weeks of the season.

The Swans still have Ben McGlynn to return into their best 22 but Bolton believed there were three or four on the fringe capable of slotting into the side.

"Their depth is absolutely one of their key strengths. It's hard to say what their absolute best 22 is because they've played a few and they've all done really well," Bolton said.

"The young players have really stepped up and taken their opportunities.

"As a coaching staff I think they'd have to be as confident as they've ever been because they know if there are injuries and they're not at full strength that others have stepped up and performed."

Bolton said the Swans' defence had been one of the cornerstones of their success this year.

"Their back line is the most underrated part of their team externally," he said.

"Grundy, Richards, Nick Smith have been the mainstay of that side for a number of seasons and they've all had outstanding seasons yet again."

Dual premiership-winning midfielder Jude Bolton said it was vital the Swans did not collect any injuries in the final fortnight of the home and away season.

He said the Swans' clash with Geelong this year was an example of how sides could fall away if their key players were out.

The Cats were without defensive lynchpins Tom Lonergan and Corey Enright that night, and were trounced by 110 points.

"It changed the whole make-up because they'd been so settled as a back six before," he said.

"It's all about trust. We've seen across the league when teams have lack of stability with guys in and out, you struggle with your performances."

HOW THE SWANS COMPARE

2005

The Swans needed a victory over the Kangaroos in round 21 to lock their position in the top four, but they had to win the flag the hard way – travelling to Perth for a first-up final and having to play every week in September.

They were a settled unit and were to make just one more change to their side, bringing in tagger Paul Bevan at the expense of big man Luke Vogels.

2012

The Swans entered the final two rounds a game clear but fell to third after losing to Hawthorn and Geelong, costing them a home qualifying final.

Of the 22 who played in the corresponding round that year, only McGlynn was not to make it to grand final day, due to a hamstring injury.

2014

Should the Swans book a first-up home final with victory over the Western Bulldogs, there is every chance they would not have to play outside of Sydney until grand final day.

The side is almost settled, though McGlynn is due to return while Tom Mitchell can stake his claims with a strong showing this week.