Speaking from the Swans’ recovery session at Coogee Beach on Monday afternoon, Smith said building good form, rather than simply putting wins on the board, would be the main emphasis in the club’s final two matches against top sides Geelong and Hawthorn, respectively.
“It’s really exciting and we’re really happy that we’ve made the top-four,” Smith said.
“We’ll let that sink in, but then it’s really important that we start playing some really good footy going into September.
“I think it’s irrelevant winning, but I think we want to play some good footy and start to get into some really good habits.”
Much like last season, the Swans face the competition’s best in the lead-up to a finals campaign.
While the Swans lost three of their last four games to Collingwood, Hawthorn and Geelong in 2012, Smith said the eventual premiership success was built on the team’s strong preparation heading into September, rather than wins at the end of the home and away season.
“I think that it’s a bonus that we get to play two of the really good sides and it will be finals-like, so it’s good preparation I think going in,” he said.
“We did it last year and I think we lost three of our last four, but in saying that, we started playing some really good footy.
“We did have confidence going into the finals that we were playing good footy although we lost, so I think it’s a really good preparation.”
The Swans will travel to Simonds Stadium this weekend to take on Geelong, who produced a dominant 66-point win over the West Coast Eagles in Perth at the weekend.
While Smith admitted taking on the Cats at their home would be a difficult task, the 25-year-old said it was the kind of challenge the Swans thrived on at this time of year.
“The Cats down at their home ground is always a tough challenge,” he said.
“I don’t think we really fear going to play anywhere.
“I think they are a great side down there and it’s going to be a tough challenge so we’ll be ready for that.
“We’re really looking forward to it and it’s a great lead up to September.”
