WHILE most Sydney Swans supporters would be looking at Sunday’s drawn result against Melbourne as an opportunity lost, midfielder Ben McGlynn has decided to give it a more positive spin.

"Two points is better than none so we have to take that out of the game," said McGlynn of a match in which the Swans blew a four-goal lead and had to rely on two late behinds to force the draw.

"It's a little bit disappointing. Melbourne are an up-and-coming side with a lot of talent and we played well for three quarters but just couldn't hold them off and we let them back in the game when we had a handy lead.

"I think it was mainly our errors that cost us the game," he said.

McGlynn booted three goals for the Swans and together with Jude Bolton was his side's equal top goalkicker.

The pair gave the Swans oxygen at different stages during the game. Bolton's goals came in the second half, while McGlynn started brilliantly, finding time and space repeatedly, and by midway through the first term he was already being stood by his second opponent.

Apart from the result, it was just the start to 2011 that he wanted.

He managed 14 games out of a possible 24 last season, his first in the red and white after crossing from Hawthorn.

A fractured cheekbone kept him out for three weeks, a strained quadricep for the other seven and his goal for the year is to play a full and consistent season for the Swans. Completing 100 per cent of the pre-season, as he did, was a key to that.

But he admitted to tiring in the second half as the warm conditions and the 'three on the bench' rule took their toll. McGlynn had yet to see the numbers in the few minutes after the match but suspected he spent more time on the ground than was his average last season.

"It's the same for everybody; we're all going to have increased loads, so you're going to have shorter, sharper rotations and you use them smartly. Everybody is a bit tired and bit sore and you could see it in the final quarter. We have to cop it and deal with it.

"But they beat us at contested footy and went forward a bit too easily at the end," he said.

The drawn result also dashed hopes of the Swans putting to bed their poor recent record at the MCG.

They've now gone seven matches without a win at the home of football and while McGlynn said it wasn't a factor, it has heightened the urgency for the side to take care of business back in Sydney against the suddenly red-hot Essendon at ANZ Stadium next Sunday.

"They had a good pre-season and NAB Cup series and they have an exciting list. We have to tough it out and make sure we win on our home ground," he said.