VERSATILE big man Lewis Roberts-Thomson is happy to have re-established himself in the Sydney Swans' backline as they prepare for their massive test against ladder leader Geelong at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.

Roberts-Thomson, who made his name as a premiership defender in 2005, has found himself in different positions this year because of the Swans' injury woes.

The fourth-placed Swans have stuttered of late, particularly during the injury-forced absence of veteran full-back Leo Barry.

Roberts-Thomson was pitched into the ruck in the Swans' first clash with the Cats at Skilled Stadium earlier this year, but was recently restored to his favoured place in the backline.

He described the side's defensive unit as "a team within a team".

"I really do feel part of the defensive group, and I really do enjoy playing down there," he said.

"This year, unfortunately through a few injuries, I've had to be thrown all over the ground [but] that hasn't been a bad thing.

"Hopefully I've been able to add a little bit to the team and a little bit of versatility to my game. I'm happy to be playing in the team in any sort of role."

Roberts-Thomson and his teammates face the daunting task of trying to shackle the free-scoring multi-faceted Geelong attack.

But he felt Barry's absence had benefited the Swans in one sense.

"Leo is such a fantastic player, it is difficult to cover someone like that, but we've adjusted quite well," Roberts-Thomson said.

"There's a few different players shouldering a bit more of the load and being given a bit more responsibility to some of the younger players like Heath Grundy.

"They (the Cats) are very versatile in their forward line with leading players who can take a pack mark. There's players who are great on the ground.

"There's not one player that you can actually concentrate on, because they are all very dangerous.

"The overall spread of goalkickers makes it hard for opposition teams to match up on them."

Roberts-Thomson said last week's dramatic win over Fremantle was "right up there" among the best victories he had experienced in a Swans guernsey.