SYDNEY Swans midfielder Ben Mathews says his team must guard against complacency this week as it prepares to face an under-strength Melbourne line-up at the SCG.

In the corresponding round last year, the Dees kick-started their 2006 season with a memorable win when best afield Cameron Bruce slotted the matchwinner.

The victory was Melbourne's first of the season and they will again be looking to get on the board when they run onto the SCG on Saturday night, albeit with a side depleted by injury.

But Mathews said the Swans, who are looking to rebound after a loss to the Crows in Adelaide, know better than to expect an easy contest.

"It's a really tough competition, so if you take your foot off the pedal just a fraction just because a team's got a few injuries, you open yourself right up to the possibility of getting beaten," Mathews said.

"They've still got a lot of good players. Cam Bruce, Brad Green, those sorts of players.

"(Brad) Miller's playing well, (Adem) Yze and Aaron Davey's hit a bit of form, so to underestimate them would be crazy."

Mathews, who has been in great touch early in 2007 after an uninterrupted pre-season, remembered last year's Sydney meeting and said the Swans would be switched on come game time.

"I think that turned their season around, last year's win against us," he said.

"I see that as our biggest challenge, turning up against Melbourne, who haven't had a win this year but they're going to be enormously tough.

"They're going to be desperate to get their first win on the board."

The Swans have copped their share of criticism this week over their wayward kicking for goal - they booted 5.14 against the Crows at the weekend - but Mathews believes there have also been plenty of positives.

"I think our pressure's been fantastic, our defence has really stood up in the first month of the season so that's fantastic, and our accountability's been really, really good," he said.

"We're doing a lot of things right. If we can get that kicking and goalkicking skill component, if we can get on top of it, hopefully we'll get away with a good win."