Sydney captain Josh Kennedy doesn't see Thursday night's clash with the Western Bulldogs as his team's last chance to save their season, but he knows it's pretty close.

The Swans are 3-7 heading into the game at the SCG, their second meeting with the premiers since last year's Grand Final, and realistically must win at least nine of their remaining 12 games to have any chance of making the finals for the seventh-straight season since John Longmire became coach.

Kennedy said the players used last week's bye to refresh and refocus on the season, but despite their poor start to 2017, didn't review the opening 10 games any more in depth than usual.

While it seems a long shot given their record, Kennedy takes heart from the fact that his side has been in a position to win most games they've played in this season, and given just three wins separates the Swans and eighth-placed Fremantle, the players haven't given up.  

"As long as there's a mathematical chance there's still going to be hope," he said.

"We were certainly feeling like we had turned things around after the St Kilda game, (we were) in good form, but you take the foot off the pedal even one per cent and you get found out.

"I think it's similar across the whole competition, that’s just how even it is this year, and that has to be at the forefront of our minds especially given the situation we're in."

Kennedy was one of a number of Swans to lift his form during their three-game winning streak from rounds 7-9, with Kennedy averaging 30 possessions and a goal in victories over the Brisbane Lions, North Melbourne and the Saints.

Fellow stars Luke Parker and Dan Hannebery also found their best touch, before a slight letdown against Hawthorn two weeks ago, and along with Isaac Heeney and Zak Jones, they're relishing the chance to test themselves against the Bulldogs midfield, led by Marcus Bontempelli, Luke Dahlhaus and Jack Macrae.

"It's a real strength of theirs, it's been a real strength of ours, albeit this year we've probably let ourselves down in that area," he said.

"What better way to try and turn it around then against the best in the comp in terms of contested footy, and that’s the Doggies, so we look forward to the challenge of trying to match them in that area."

The Swans could welcome back Kieren Jack (hip) and Sam Naismith (knee) against the Dogs, but Jarrad McVeigh (hamstring) is at long odds to get up in time after a season of soft tissue problems.