What a long 16 weeks it's been in footy.

As Sydney prepares to take on Carlton at the SCG on Saturday, a look at the two sides shows vastly different formlines since they met in Round 6.

The Blues verbally and physically targeted young defender Callum Mills that day, and his Swans teammates copped all sorts of criticism for looking on as the 2016 NAB Rising Star winner was hunted by the home side without protection.

Carlton caused a boilover and handed the Swans their sixth-straight loss of 2017, but since John Longmire's men trudged off the MCG to the tune of the 'Navy Blues', they've won 13 of their past 15 matches to seal a finals berth that looked nothing more than a hail mary shot at the time.

On the flipside, despite showing some promising signs early, the Blues have tasted victory just four more times, and will narrowly avoid the wooden spoon this year.

Mills said he learnt plenty in Round 6 and continued to learn every week, but the Swans haven't come up with a plan to combat the Blues if they go after him again.

"No, not really to be honest, we just go out and play football," he said. 

"We look after each other, that’s just what we do. 

"I haven't been in the meetings at Carlton so I don't know (what they'll do), but we're just going to plan for the things we can control this week, and try and get our stuff right." 

Some have pointed to the Swans' 19-point defeat in Round 6 as the turning point of their season - only Hawthorn (twice) has beaten them since - but Mills said Longmire's review of that game didn't double as a crisis meeting.

A more consistent team effort has been the key to the revival according to the second-year backman, and regaining Dane Rampe and Jarrad McVeigh has also been massive for the Swans.

Sydney gave up 90+ points in five of their first six games with Rampe (arm) and McVeigh (calf) missing, but incredibly they haven't done it since, and their settled defence is now ranked No.1 in the competition.

"If you can get two great leaders into a back six it's really good for us," Mills said.

"Especially for guys like myself, Lewis Melican and Nic Newman, all the guys that are still learning, Jarrad's composure, experience and leadership, those things are invaluable.

"Their cool heads under pressure is really what helps us, it's a great trait to have as a footballer and one that I try and emulate myself."