The Swans open their campaign with an away match against Leeton-Whitton on Saturday and would love to make a statement first up. 

Griffith are targeting the top four in 2015, but Mathews said a poor first month would dent their September ambitions.

“We lost a couple of close early ones last year and it really hurt us later in the year,” he said. 

“It’d be nice to get the points and head into the early part of the season with our tails up a bit.

“We got the week off next week. The way the draw is, it's not really ideal.

“You don’t want to sit down for a couple of weeks after getting done.”

The Swans recruited strongly in the off-season and have added skill and experience to their squad.

Assistant coach Tom Groves, Ex-Turvey Park star Chris Cerato and Queanbeyan trio Ben King, Will Griggs and Sam Daniel are among the club’s biggest gets.

Mathews is still to finalise his team for the showdown with Leeton-Whitton, but he expects the Crows to come out firing after they also bolstered their squad over summer.

“In my opinion, they (Leeton-Whitton) will be among the top few sides this year,” Mathews said. 

“They’ve got quite a few (players) from out of the same Canberra comp we got our guys (King, Griggs and Daniel) and some locals coming back to play for them.

“They had a lot of good young kids last year but probably a bit like us, they lacked a bit of polish.

“But from all reports the players they’ve got are really good.”

Mathews, however, is backing the Swans to succeed.

“It’s been a long pre-season for us,” Mathews said.

"I guess because we've recruited a few guys, there’s a bit of excitement around the place.

“The last month of pre-season can get a bit long. You can play practice games, but it seems like you’re getting stale.

“You’re sick of doing all the running and just want to get out there and play for something.”

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