John Longmire has pinpointed a lopsided centre clearance count and a lack of execution in key moments for Sydney's loss to Richmond following last night's 13-point defeat to Richmond.

The Swans led by 18 points at half-time of Thursday night's match but were overrun as rain tumbled down at the MCG in the second half.

Last year's Grand Finalists have now lost to Port Adelaide by two points, Greater Western Sydney by one, Fremantle at home by 17, St Kilda by 14 and now Richmond by 13.

Throw in last week's draw with Geelong, and as of Thursday night, the Swans sit 14th, six points off the top eight. 

"We've had a few chances to finish it off, and we just haven't done the most basic things and executed when we needed to. That's been disappointing," coach John Longmire said after the loss to the Tigers.

"The second half, we got smashed in the clearances, lost ground position. We did a lot right in the first half, a lot right, but you have to play 120 minutes, and keep adjusting to what's happening across the course of the game. 

"We've got to make sure we're a bit harder and cleaner – certainly cleaner – around the footy, and don't give up that ground position so easily."

Sydney was down 47-31 in the clearances by the final siren and eight behind in inside 50s, two killer blows considering rain hit the game from halfway through the second quarter to the final siren.

"There's been a couple of times this year where we've done it (let a lead slip), so we have to be better at it. I thought we didn't adjust as well as we should have in the second quarter to the conditions, they obviously lifted their pressure," Longmire said.

"We still won the second quarter, so we came in OK. We got absolutely smashed around the stoppages, 1-10 in a half of footy is hard to do in a CB (centre bounce) situation. They almost tripled us in stoppage work in the second half, so they got ground position in wet conditions and it made a big difference. 

"We just got smashed around the footy, gave away a few simple goals and they were able to get ground position off their clearance wins. 

"To only have one centre bounce clearance in a half of footy – you have to get the ball in your front half in wet conditions and you have to play a territory game and we weren't able to do it. We fumbled too much and were beaten around the ball."

Jake Lloyd was subbed off after a late and high bump from Richmond co-captain Toby Nankervis, who went on to dominate the ruck as the game slowed in wet conditions.

It left the Swans too tall in defence, particularly given Richmond had lost debutant Jacob Bauer in the opening minutes to a hamstring injury.

"[Nankervis] had a big role, and unfortunately Jakey Lloyd didn't have any role in the game. But he got on top in the ruck and really gave the momentum out of there," Longmire said.

"They lost a tall very early, and we lost Jake, so it was a bit of a double-edged sword there, which was unfortunate. We weren't sure with our talls, how they were going to go, so that's why Aaron was there as a sub."

Longmire confirmed Lloyd would miss next Thursday's clash with the Western Bulldogs through concussion and that Chad Warner (calf) would miss another week after a training setback.

The Swans will face the Western Bulldogs at the SCG on Thursday, July 13. Click here to purchase tickets.