IN THEIR past two games, the Sydney Swans have got off to terrific starts and built big early leads, only for their opponents to force their way back and give them a major fright.

But there is only one aspect that concerns Swans coach John Longmire - his team has finished both games in front.

Longmire's squad showed a somewhat worrying trend against Essendon and Geelong, leading the Bombers by 47 points at three quarter-time before escaping with a four-point win and being chased down by the Cats only to eke out a one-goal triumph.

But from the coach's perspective, his team was in front when it mattered most.?

"People outside the football club can make their own decisions what they look at," Longmire said on Monday.

"We as a football club look at both aspects of what we did well and what areas we can improve.

"It doesn't matter if you win by a hundred points, lose by a hundred points or win by a kick, nothing changes from the football club.

"If you look at Essendon and Geelong, they're very good teams, they are top-notch, quality teams, and we were very happy to be in the position to win the game against both of them."

Like many sides in the competition, the Swans had previously endured enormous struggles against the Cats, losing nine straight against them before their breakthrough victory at Geelong late last year.

They made it back-to-back wins against them at the SCG on Friday night to solidify their place in the top four.

"I thought we played some really good footy," Longmire said.

"We played against a team that's won 110 games of its last 130. They're a reasonable team.

"They've got some great champions. There's certainly areas of the game we can get better at, but when you look at the whole game, Geelong are a very difficult football team to beat."

Swans co-captain Adam Goodes was feeling stiff and sore on Monday following his first game in seven weeks and will be eased through training ahead of Saturday's second derby against Greater Western Sydney.

GWS coach Kevin Sheedy rested Chad Cornes and used Luke Power as a substitute against Melbourne on Sunday, indicating he was keeping his veterans to have a red-hot crack at the Swans at ANZ Stadium.

It didn't escape Longmire's attention.

"I noted 'Sheeds' said that," the Swans coach said. "They're obviously gunning for this to be a big game and so are we."

Longmire has also noticed just how much the Giants have improved in their debut season in the AFL, despite a let-down against the Demons.

"They've got some real hard nuts," he said.

"And they've got some quality key forwards - Jonathon Patton has just come into the team and Jeremy Cameron is one of the best young players in the competition.

"They've got plenty of talent and we need to make sure we respect them, which we will."

James Dampney covers Sydney AFL news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_JD