The Sydney Swans are up for the challenge posed by the final four games of the home-and-away season, with the team to face three more of the top-8 sides after showing plenty of fight in the weekend’s loss to ladder leaders Port Adelaide.

Injuries to key personnel including Lance Franklin, Josh Kennedy, Isaac Heeney and Dane Rampe have led to a number of players having to taking on different roles in the side this year.

Coach John Longmire said the unique experiences of this season have been a learning curve for his young team.

“We’ve played players in various positions to try to get flexibility in our team,” Longmire said.

“We have done it will Will Hayward, Jordan Dawson and Tom McCartin on the weekend to see how they go, but also to teach them different things.

“It teaches them different things in not only the short term, but also the medium-to-long term.”

The season has also presented plenty of challenges off the field, as the team has been away from home since the start of August with stints in Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and now Cairns.

“We’ve been around the country, but the challenge provides the opportunity for a young group travelling and living together,” Longmire said.

“We’re conscious that there is enough down time mixed with learning football and development time.

“Hopefully it has been beneficial for our young side to get together and travel around the country, and make the most of what is a challenging experience but also a unique experience.”

With a run home that includes matches against top four contenders Geelong and Brisbane over the next month, there is no doubting the challenge ahead.

Next up, the Sydney Swans take on Melbourne this Thursday at Cazaly’s Stadium in Cairns. The match gets underway at 4.40pm.