Co-captain Luke Parker has highlighted the final quarter of Saturday night’s loss to the Western Bulldogs as the way his side has to play consistently moving forward.

Despite trailing by 32 points heading into the final quarter, Sydney cut the margin back to just four points with minutes remaining in the contest.

In a poor first half from the Swans they managed just one goal, that coming in the first 2 minutes of the game when young star Isaac Heeney converted a set shot from directly in front.

Parker said it was important for his side to remember the way they finished the game and how they are best to play football heading into a crucial match against Adelaide at the SCG on Friday night.

“We showed in the last quarter when we do get it right, pull the trigger and back ourselves then we look really good,” Parker told Channel 7.

“The first five minutes was intense and fiery football and we got off to a good start and obviously took the pedal off from there.

“To be in the game with a couple of minutes left and have a few shots on goal was a positive.”

“We just can’t leave it up to one quarter of football.”

The Western Bulldogs won the contested possession count 151-125 and also the clearances 41-32 in a disappointing night through the midfield for the Swans.

Parker said it was the midfield battle that was the biggest factor in the loss.

“We knew coming in that their scramble is really good and they outnumber at the contest,” he said.

“Basically they did exactly what we though they would do and so we were probably a bit too passive for too long.”

Sydney will look to rebound when they head to the SCG to take on the Crows on Friday night.