Disappointed Sydney Swans players have vowed to make sure Saturday night's last-minute loss to the Western Bulldogs doesn't happen again this season.
The Swans let another valuable four points slip through their fingers at the SCG when they allowed the Dogs to snatch the win, thanks to a goal from defender Jason Johannisen in the dying seconds of the match.
When superstar forward Lance Franklin booted his fifth goal for the game midway through the final term he put the home side in front and they led for another 14 minutes before Johannisen struck.
It is the second time this season the Swans have lost to the final kick after Sam Lloyd nailed a goal after the siren in the Tigers' one-point triumph in round eight.
Franklin said the closeness of the sides in top eight – the Swans are one of six teams on 10 wins – made Saturday night's defeat even tougher for the playing group.
"You can't afford to lose a game and every team is in it," he said.
"I think if you lose one you could drop out of the eight, it's really tight at the top so you just want to keep winning and keep that momentum going.
"It will be good to (review the game and) have a look at the things we need to improve on as a football club.
"We'll use that and we have to move on pretty quick because we've got Geelong on Friday night and we need to prepare for them."
The Swans get little time to dwell on their round 15 defeat and defender Dane Rampe dismissed suggestions that the players would prefer to face the Cats at Skilled Stadium with more rest, rather than a six-day break.
"No to be honest," Rampe said.
"The way footy is now, especially after losses, the short break is going to do us wonders.
"You just want to get out there and redeem yourself and I think that's the way we're looking at it.
"I'm sure I speak for the rest of the players, I just can't wait to get out there and get back on the winners list.
Swans midfielder Luke Parker said after the loss to the Dogs that his side had broken down structurally in the final minutes, and Rampe said on Monday that his teammate was on the money.
The 26-year-old defender said last week's game had similarities to the Swans' defeat to Richmond earlier this year.
"As a playing group we all knew walking off the ground that we’d stuffed up," he said.
"You can look at it one of two ways, and we're going to take the glass half full approach.
"You learn from these mistakes and I guarantee that next time we're in that situation, well at least I hope so, that we won't be doing the same thing.
"There were little areas that we fell down in like the Richmond game.
"If we're going to learn from them, I guess it's better it happens now rather than in the finals."
