Sydney Swans coach John Longmire has compared the fast-paced style of play by the Brisbane Lions to that of the undefeated Geelong side so far this season.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s round six clash with the Lions at the SCG, Longmire said Brisbane’s running and high handball game is very similar to the Cats’ game plan, which has seen Geelong remain unbeaten after five rounds.

“We’ve looked at what Brisbane has been able to do in the pre-season and they certainly play some exciting footy when they’re able to.” Longmire said.

“They have a bit of a similar style to Geelong in that they’ve got some really good runners in their team.”

Unlike the Cats, who are ranked in the top half of the competition for goal accuracy (49.1 per cent), Longmire said the Lions fast-paced game plan has suffered as a result on inaccuracy in front of goal (43.4 per cent) in the first five round of competition.

“They’ve actually had more scoring shots than we’ve had and they’ve been able to get their ball inside forward 50 and have shots at goal,” Longmire said.

“It’s just been a bit of an accuracy issue but that’s something we’ve been conscious of.”

Despite the Lions inaccuracy in recent weeks, Longmire said his side could not afford to take the risk of allowing the visitors as many chances up forward this weekend.

“If they are allowed to play the footy that they play, which is overlap run and handball - they are a very high handball team and they are able to run and transfer the ball from their defence through to their forward line very quickly,” he said.

“If they are able to play that sort of footy, then that’s the footy that means it puts some scoreboard pressure on, and that’s what we’ll have to try and restrict.

“If they get the ball out of the centre through (Brent) Moloney ,who is a very good stoppage player, into their forward half they’ll do a bit of damage, so we need to try and get out hands on the footy.”

The coach added that the Swans, who are ranked fourth in the competition for goal accuracy (54.4 per cent) would also need to put goals on the board this week if they are to secure their fifth win of the season.

“We also acknowledge that we’ll need to try and put the scoreboard pressure on ourselves and we’ll need to make the most of our opportunities when we get it.”

In the absence of key position player Lewis Roberts-Thomson, who was this week ruled out for 6-8 matches with a knee injury, Longmire said the Lions tall timber up forward would pose a challenge for the Swans defence.

“We’ve got Heath Grundy and Ted Richards in our back half who can play those key position roles and Jonathan Brown is certainly one of the best players who has played the game in that position and it will be a tough task for them,” he said.

“If you look at Leuenberger and the other talls who were able to take a mark inside the forward 50 last week for Brisbane, it certainly is going to be a challenge for any of those key defenders.

“We’ve brought (Dane) Rampe into the team and he’s been going OK and hopefully Teddy Richards and Heath Grundy still continue to keep going along well.”

Visit sydneyswans.com.au at 4:30pm this afternoon for the final team announcement for the Swans round six clash with the Brisbane Lions.