Sydney's football boss has nothing but praise for burgeoning 21-year-old forward Logan McDonald.

McDonald, a Perth Demons product, is entering his fourth AFL season since being drafted by the Swans in 2020.

Sydney is entering a new era after the legendary Lance Franklin announced his retirement, with McDonald primed to follow in the eight-time All-Australian's footsteps.

Speaking on SEN Afternoons, Swans footy boss Leon Cameron spoke highly of the young forward; specifically his efforts this pre-season.

"We've got to be mindful he's going into his fourth year, but he's had a really good pre-season. He's a massive young fella, he works extremely hard," said Cameron.

"He's really popular amongst the group. You can see that in my short time here at the Swans, you can see he's such a popular young kid.

"Look, I just think he'll just get better and better as he goes on."

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 04: Logan McDonald of the Swans kicks a goal during the 2022 AFL Round 12 match between the Melbourne Demons and the Sydney Swans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 04, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

McDonald will come out of contract at the end of 2024 and did attract interest during last year's trade period. Despite the possibility of McDonald wanting to return home to Western Australia, those rumours were put to bed by the Swans list manager, Kinnear Beatson, in October last year.

Leon Cameron continued by discussing the Swans forward line as a whole. The usual suspects of Tom Papley, Isaac Heeney and Will Hayward all surfaced, but the footy boss mentioned a couple of talls who had strong pre-seasons.

"You mentioned Papley, you mentioned Heeney," Cameron continued.

"These guys have been around for a long time and Joel Amartey - he's had a solid pre-season as well as Hayden McLean and these sorts of guys.

"That's the good thing about the start of a new year. Someone going to pop up from nowhere. (Errol) Gulden had such a great year as a winger and inside mid … does he become a goal kicker with his magnificent left foot?

"There are so many players out there that can surprise you at the start of the year."

Cameron, formerly GWS' senior coach, moved up the ranks to become the new overseer of Sydney's football operations following Charlie Gardiner's departure at the end of 2023.

The Swans will be looking to return to finals action in 2024 after losing their semi-final to the Blues last year. They kick off their season against the Demons in the AFL's inaugural Opening Round, taking place at the SCG.