Sydney defender Aliir Aliir has urged his fellow emerging leaders to make a stand and resurrect the team's season, beginning with Friday night's clash against Essendon.
Bottom of the ladder after seven rounds with just one win, the Swans' finals hopes are less than slim, but with such a congested pack of teams fighting for top-eight positions, victory over the Bombers could revive the year.
With experienced heads Jarrad McVeigh (quad), Heath Grundy (back) and Nick Smith (hamstring) managing just four games between them in 2019, and Lance Franklin (hamstring) and Kieren Jack (hip) also unavailable for multiple matches, Sydney's next tier hasn't been able to cover their absence.
The form of young guns Isaac Heeney (87 games), Zak Jones (80), George Hewett (78), Tom Papley (67), Callum Mills (62), Will Hayward (44), Oliver Florent (39) and Aliir (33) has been reflective of the Swans' season, with the group showing glimpses of their best at various stages, but they've struggled to deliver the consistency coach John Longmire requires.
Aliir said on Wednesday that missing important players was no excuse for the Swans' poor start to the year, and the club's younger group had to take responsibility and step up against the Bombers.
"We've spoken about it, we can't keep leaving it to the older guys to lead and do everything," he said.
"We have to voice our opinions, we have to understand situations (during games) and try and change it.
"It's time for myself and the other younger guys to stand up and help them because we can't leave it all to them.
"We don't want to be on the bottom of the ladder and I have full faith in our group if we can bring the pressure and maintain it for four quarters we can get the win (this week)."
Aliir could land the big job of trying to contain Essendon excitement machine Joe Daniher at the SCG on Friday night, with co-captain Dane Rampe another option for the Swans, in what will be a crucial match-up for the home side.
The Swans' backline has been under enormous pressure this season with the team's midfield struggling to win the contested and ground-ball battles most weeks.
Sydney gave up 77 inside 50s against Brisbane last week and if they concede that many opportunities against the Bombers, Daniher and fellow forwards Jake Stringer, Orazio Fantasia and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti will have a night out.
"It's pretty tough (to defend that many inside 50s) but I thought as a back six we were able to contain them at different times," he said.
"It's gets to a point where they might kick a couple in a row, but we just have to stick at it and keep going.
"We push hard to get the midfielders to push back and help out and it's not great, but we just have to find a way to try and stop them.
"Dane Rampe is always barking orders and leading us but at the end of the day we need to go out there and play, we've got a job to do."
