Sydney vice-captain Dan Hannebery has underlined what the side will need to patch up in a massive clash with Geelong next week, after the Swans fell to the Tigers on Thursday night.

The Swans showed tremendous fight in the top-of-the-table duel at Etihad Stadium but succumbed to a 26-point loss in the Round 15 opener.

The Swans will return to the SCG for another stoush with a genuine finals contender as they look to make amends against a Cats side laced with ominous strike.

Hannebery said Sydney was left to rue a number of downfalls in its match with Richmond.

“We turned the ball over which happens at times and which we did a bit too often,” Hannebery told SwansTV post-match.

“We weren’t able to get organised enough and they were probably too good at times at capitalising on that.

“We thought our pressure and hit was pretty good and we were only a goal down with 20 minutes to go, but they were a bit too clinical at times and we weren’t sharp enough in signing them off. It was a disappointing loss.”

The Swans lost both the turnover count and intercept possessions 85-71.

Richmond was quick and clean in its ball movement on the rebound as evidenced by the fact it took 109 marks to Sydney’s 66, 17 marks inside 50 to the Swans’ six and topped inside 50s 62-43.

Tigers skipper Trent Cotchin (27 touches) led the way for his side's midfield contingent, while star forward Jack Riewoldt took care of the rest en route to finishing with 23 possessions, 16 marks and three goals.

But the Swans keenly awaited the litmus test the ladder-leading Tigers promised and will relish facing the likes of star Cats Gary Ablett, Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Selwood and Tom Hawkins.

Hannebery said the Swans would have to be at their best.

“The Cats are another really good team,” Hannebery said.

“Like tonight we’ll need to be really on early but we’ll just need to maintain it and try to be a bit cleaner going forward.”