Sydney Swans midfielder Dan Hannebery says his team needs to improve their inconsistencies if they are to turn around a poor start to the season.

The Swans now sit at 0-3 from the first three rounds of the season after going down by just one-point to Collingwood at the SCG on Friday night.

With several star players on the sidelines injured and a reliance on youth the consistency of effort has been lacking for the Swans.

“That is the thing that is costing us is that we are not right on our game all the time,” Hannebery said.

“We are playing in spurts and tonight they were better for longer in those key moments.

“It was disappointing because it is something that we pride ourselves on.”

A poor opening quarter helped the Magpies to a 21-point lead at the first change, something that proved costly in such a tight contest.

“We were right in the game after a poor start,” Hannebery said.

“I thought a lot of our young guys really lifted but we made some stupid mistakes defensively and offensively in particular in that first quarter.

“When you are four goals down at quarter time it really hurts so it is devastating but we have to move on pretty quick.”

The Swans  now turn their attention to West Coast on Thursday night at Domain Stadium in search of their first win of the season.