Sydney Swans coach John Longmire has challenged his team to “raise the bar” and build on their momentum from a strong start to the season.

The Swans sit second on the ladder with a 9-2 record heading into the sold out Sydney Derby X against GWS on Sunday.

They've defeated fellow contenders Hawthorn and North Melbourne in recent weeks, and overcame Gold Coast in challenging conditions, to consolidate a healthy position.

Longmire says it's important his team remains focused on improving each week.

“We have played pretty consistent football to this point,” he said.

“Our form has been reasonably consistent, but we know how fickle that can be if you’re not working at it all the time, both at training and during games.

“That is the challenge of AFL footy, to keep going with your form and to keep raising the bar to lift the standards.

“We have to keep doing that because of the opposition we are going to play. We have to keep lifting those standards.”

The Giants are in sixth spot on the ladder in a season that’s been highlighted by wins over top eight contenders Hawthorn, the Western Bulldogs and Geelong.

GWS lost to the Cats in their return clash in Geelong last weekend, but this week the side could be bolstered by the return of star on-baller Ryan Griffen to a midfield group that is already strong around the stoppages.

Meanwhile the Swans look set to regain young defender Callum Mills who missed the win over the Gold Coast in an effort to manage his game time.

“We’re about making sure that we keep our form up in every game that we play to strive to be consistent,” Longmire said.

“We know the quality that they have got in their team – they are the number two attacking team in the competition and they are very good from stoppages.

“They are a quality team and we will need to be playing really well to beat them.”

Last time the two sides met was Round 3 at the SCG and on that occasion the Swans took out a 25-point win.