SYDNEY SWANS co-captain Brett Kirk says the Swans still have work ahead just to cement a spot in the finals after losing to the Adelaide Crows by 24 points at the SCG on Saturday night.
But he said despite a rising injury toll, it was time for the team to keep their "heads up" and get on with the job.
The Swans also have to figure out a way to beat sides such as Adelaide and Collingwood who manage to stifle their run.
“I am not too sure,” Kirk said in response to why the Swans struggle against the Crows and Magpies.
“Again last night we had opportunities. We become very predictable and we play into their hands. For some reason Collingwood and Adelaide have the wood on us.”
Adelaide has beaten the Sydney Swans in nine of their past 10 encounters while Collingwood has defeated the Swans four times in a row.
Kirk admitted it was worrying entering the finals and consistently losing to fellow finals combatants.
“You want to beat the teams above you on the ladder on the way,” Kirk said. “We have been inconsistent. To be effective in September we need to look at it. It is a concern.”
More pressing for the Swans is a growing injury list.
Michael O’Loughlin is still on crutches and very unlikely to play this week, Henry Playfair injured his hamstring early on in the match last night and is expected to miss at least one game, Adam Goodes will need at least a week to fix his groin, Nick Malceski has now not played for the past three weeks due to a ongoing calf injury and Leo Barry is no certainly to play against the Bulldogs on Sunday due to a hamstring injury.
“You don’t want to be limping into the finals,” Kirk said.
“We have been up and down with our form and now we have some serious injuries to some key players, however, it does gives someone else an opportunity. We are lucky enough that teams around us have fallen as well. We have to keep our heads up.”
The Swans face the Western Bulldogs (away), Fremantle (home), Geelong (home), Collingwood (away) and the Brisbane Lions (home) as they attempt to cement a spot in the top four.
