Fresh from an 85-point demolition of St Kilda, the Carlton players surely face the ultimate litmus test in the form of John Longmire’s Sydney on the SCG this Saturday night.

Indeed, Carlton Coach Michael Malthouse has issued a timely reminder that the Swans’ senior list serves as the strongest and deepest in his time in the game.

"My count is that 17 or 18 of their players that aren't playing would fit comfortably into a lot of teams, so if they have someone out, someone comes in who is almost as good as them," he said.

"Their depth is as good as I have seen in any football club."

That is a big call.

Not surprisingly, the team formerly known as South Melbourne – first for contested possessions, second for tackles and fourth for possessions overall - has made an artform of tough unrelenting footy.

Sitting pretty atop the table, the Swans boast an extraordinary array of bona fide ball magnets, and we speak of:

Josh Kennedy - first in the AFL for handballs; second for disposals; second for contested disposals, fourth for clearances and equal fourth for tackles;

Nick Malceski – fourth in the comp for rebound 50s and an average 25 disposals per game; and

Luke Parker – fourth in the comp for rebound 50s and second only to Kennedy at the Swans for contested possessions, clearances and tackles.

Come 7.40 Saturday night, a clearer indication of where Carlton is at will surely emerge, for there can be no for more formidable that Sydney on its own dunghill.