THE recently released book The Draft provides an insight into the clinical manner in which Hawthorn built a playing list now poised to play off in this year's grand final and which has a decent chance of meeting the club's objective of winning two premierships by 2012.

The Hawks' strategy was basic and hardline - any player on the list that was not part of the projected premiership team (and, in 2005, there were only five "definites" and five "probables") was considered surplus to requirements. Sentiment was spared as the club used the trade table, the draft and the recycling bin to fill, position-by-position, the gaps in their real-life dream team.

With this season's success - and the promise of more to come - the Hawks' plan has become the blueprint for teams attempting to create the few precious years of opportunity available to the well-managed club. It also stands in direct contrast to the rebuild-on-the-run approach of Sydney, vindicated by six consecutive finals appearances under Paul Roos, two grand finals including the 2005 premiership - but which, as the unofficial bartering season begins, faces its greatest challenge.

The first question clubs ask before performing the difficult task of pruning lists and putting loyal servants on the trade table is whether the premiership cup is within reach. Despite the apparent gap between the Swans and the competition leaders Geelong, Hawthorn, the Western Bulldogs and, perhaps, even likely improvers such as Collingwood and Carlton, the Sydney hierarchy does not have an unequivocal answer.

Rather, there is a feeling it will not be until after the draft (and the possible acquisition of a ready-made star) or even the early rounds of next season that they know where they stand.

Mitigating the apparent need for a rapid rebuilding is the thought that with injury- or incident-free seasons from Adam Goodes, Barry Hall and Michael O'Loughlin, and incremental improvement elsewhere, Sydney can push themselves into a position to be more than mere finals cannon fodder (2007) or nuisance value (2008).

At the same time, the Swans' hands are tied somewhat with most of their veterans contracted for next season. (The notable exception is co-captain Leo Barry, who seems certain to be offered a final season.) And, in what could be his final year in his current role, Roos will feel honour bound to give the warhorses who have brought the club so much success a chance to compete again.

The likely proviso is that, if it quickly becomes apparent the Swans are not up to the mark, some veterans could find themselves on the bus to Canberra, as retiring stalwart Ben Mathews did this season, while the careers of recent draftees are fast-tracked.

If that seems like the Swans will be having 50 cents each-way compared with the all-in ruthlessness of the Hawks, there are sound reasons why Sydney don't believe they can bottom out as Hawthorn did.

There is the need to stay competitive in the cut-throat Sydney marketplace. While the Swans' bottom line might withstand a year near the foot of the table - particularly with the AFL assistance that could come with the arrival of a second Sydney team - finishing 15th, 14th and 11th in successive seasons as the Hawks did between 2004 and 2006 might be stretching it.

If the Swans did attempt to trade ageing talent or even fringe players, they would not get the same value Hawthorn did for Nathan Thompson (pick 26), Nathan Lonie (14), Jonathan Hay (18) or even Peter Everitt (33).

And, even with a pick in the draft much earlier than their current No.12, the Swans have more chance of signing Cristiano Ronaldo than of having a once-in-a-lifetime champion such as Lance "Buddy" Franklin fall into their laps as happened with the Hawks.

The still unlikely signing of a star such as Daniel Kerr or Alan Didak or an unexpectedly generous offer for one of their own key performers might shake things up.

But, as it stands, expect at least the first part of 2009 to provide a final fling for the Swans stalwarts rather than being the start of a new era.