Sydney Swans coach John Longmire is continuing to look for the best ruck combination for his side in season 2018.

Following the retirement of Kurt Tippett and season ending injury to Sam Naismith, it has been Callum Sinclair who has taken on the mantle as the No. 1 ruckman for the Swans.

The former West Coast big man has averaged a career-high 35 hit outs per game from his first five matches.

“Callum’s done a pretty good job for us this year in the ruck,” Longmire said.

“He got beaten on the weekend by Sam Jacobs who’s beaten a number of good ruckmen in his career. I don’t think it’s unusual for Jacobs to win the ruck scenario.

“Our challenge then is our next variation in the mix.

“We’d love to get more game time in the reserves level with Aliir Aliir and Darcy Cameron and just keep trying to improve our depth in that area.”

It was a poor showing from the Swans midfield against the Crows as they struggled to win their own football through the middle of the ground.

Despite recent criticism of the club’s midfield depth, the coach pointed to the introduction of Zak Jones, Isaac Heeney and Tom Papley to the fold over the last 12 months.

“There’s been significant change in the midfield group over the last season,” Longmire said.

“It started at the start of last year and has been consistent and ongoing and will continue to be.

“We have to put the last couple of weeks in some sort of context and understand that the evolution of our midfield group is ongoing.

“It’s certainly been evolving over the last 12 months in a significant way as far as the number of players going through that midfield group.”

The Swans will get their chance to bounce back from their loss when they take on Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday afternoon.