Sydney Swans coach John Longmire said his team's skills cost them against the Eagles after they trailed by 25 points at quarter-time despite having the same number of shots on goal as their opponents.

The visitors managed just five points in the first quarter and one goal during the first half in their worst start to a game in 46 meetings with the Eagles.

But things could have been different if Sam Reid hadn't hit the post twice from set shots during the first quarter.

"Eagles pressure well. They are playing really good footy at the moment, but you need to be able to handle that and be able to use the ball better," Longmire said.

"But, importantly, you need to hit the scoreboard. I mean, you kick 0.5 and you are playing away and we thought a few of the tackles and the pressure early was pretty good, but we needed to take our chances a bit earlier.

"It puts you under pressure, it puts you on the back foot from there on in. If the opposition are kicking them from 50 and you're not, it makes it difficult."

Longmire praised the efforts of Dane Rampe, who kept Coleman Medal favourite Josh Kennedy to three goals, and Xavier Richards, who was beaten early by Jack Darling but stuck to his task.

Longmire said Mike Pyke's troublesome knee would have to be managed for the rest of the season and was the reason he was subbed out at three-quarter time.