SWANS coach Paul Roos is concerned his side’s mounting injury list could derail their season, despite still occupying fourth spot on the AFL ladder after Saturday night's 24-point loss to Adelaide.

The clubs immediately behind the Swans on the ladder, Collingwood, the Brisbane Lions and St Kilda, remain six points in arrears after all three lost their round 17 encounters.

The Swans head to Manuka Oval in Canberra next weekend to take on the second-placed Western Bulldogs, but Roos was more worried about his own personnel than that of the opposition.

"The health of the team is a concern at the moment. History tells you that going into this part of the year, you need to be healthy if you want to play your best footy," he said after Saturday night’s defeat at the SCG.

Adam Goodes looks to be heading for a spell after appearing to struggle with a groin complaint, although Roos said he may also have jarred his hip during the loss. Forward Henry Playfair picked up a hamstring injury and will be out for at least a few weeks.

"It's frustrating for him (Goodes) obviously. He's a great player. It's a little bid sad to watch," Roos said.

"You'd be mad if you put him on the ground next week. He couldn't compete at all."

Michael O'Loughlin is still on crutches with an ankle injury and could be on the treatment table for three to four more weeks while Nick Malceski was again a late withdrawal against the Crows and it's not clear when he'll return.

The only good news is that key defender Leo Barry could be back for next week's crucial clash in the nation’s capital.

"The concern is more the health of the team than tonight's result," Roos said.

"I don't think you can win in this competition with an unhealthy team so that's probably the biggest challenge for this week, picking a team that's healthy."

As for the side still being in fourth spot, Roos said the Swans were only holding it down ‘by default’.

"I guess there is probably a real gap between the top three teams and then the rest."

Roos jokingly described the Swans' record against the Crows, which now stands at 10-5 to Adelaide, as like a ‘voodoo-hex or something’.

"We've probably kicked more points against Adelaide than any team we've played," he said, adding that the wayward Swans lodging six posters was "extraordinary".

"But certainly at the moment we're struggling to put a healthy team on the field."