The Swans can still make the top eight and are even capable of winning this year's premiership despite their 0-4 start, premiership star and former great Tadhg Kennelly says.
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Sydney are languishing towards the bottom of the AFL table after the club's worst start to a season since 1993 before a potentially season-shaping derby against GWS next weekend, but Kennelly says the addition of a bye before the finals, and with a raft of players set to return, the Swans can become the first team in the AFL era to qualify for the top eight after losing their opening four matches.
Top-eight teams now enjoy a week off between the last round of home-and-away season and the first week of finals, a break that helped the Western Bulldogs win the flag from seventh position last season.
"Everything's going in their [the Swans'] favour with the draw now, the fact there's a week off, you don't really have to make the four any more to win a premiership; you make the eight now and you're still a genuine chance of winning a flag," Kennelly said.
"The draw at the moment, it's almost not the top four any more because you're going to get your week off the week before the finals start, and you could quite possibly do what the Dogs did.
"Things have changed, the dynamic of AFL. That's going to help the Swans in the latter part of the year, hopefully, if you get enough wins, you're talking 13 wins. The fact of the matter is they've got the Lions, Carlton and North Melbourne after next week.
"If they get a win next week [against GWS], you're 4-4.
"What the Swans are doing right now is strengthening their list. The list by September-October is going to be in such a better shape than it was 12 months ago in September because they've been forced to play these young fellas."
Kurt Tippett and Sam Naismith will likely return for the blockbuster against the Giants at the SCG, while Isaac Heeney (glandular fever) and Jarrad McVeigh (calf) are nearing full fitness.
"I'm more surprised that they're still in the contest because of the amount of players that are out," Kennelly said.
"Port jumped them, but certainly Dogs, Collingwood, they're [the Swans] in the lead with 10 minutes to go in the last quarter in both games.
"When you're giving away 10 goals, nine in turnovers, in a game of football, you're not going to win it. I coach under-18s and if they're doing that in a game, you're no hope against the best teams in the competition.
"You've got plus 25 of contested footy so you're dominating; the effort's great, your intensity, your tackling's is up and then you're just missing the polish.
"The polish is really your Heeneys, your McVeighs, your Tippetts, your Naismiths, your Gary Rohan, your Rampe. That's huge to cover.
"I honestly think that they'll be OK."
