Sydney Swans Coach John Longmire has praised his team for withstanding a high-pressure assault from Essendon in the Swans nail-biting, 3-point victory over the Bombers at the SCG on Thursday night.

"Essendon had 36 tackles in the last quarter, their pressure rating in that last quarter was through the roof, to their credit, they were very good," Longmire said.

"We didn't kick straight which hurt us on the scoreboard, but when a team comes in and has 36 tackles in the last quarter you have to do a lot right to win.

"To withstand that and be able to do the things we could do and find a way was a really good sign."

The Swans came from 25-points down in the second quarter in dewy conditions in Sydney and Longmire said it was important for his young side to win in such conditions.

"I think that was the most pleasing thing out of it, you get behind and you're scrapping along and you're finding a different way to win in slippery conditions," Longmire said.

"We got a few things wrong at times and we can better at things but I think that's a good thing, that we can find the way and hopefully that gives players some confidence.

"The opposition were fantastic and all of those things add up to getting the overalls on and going to work and sometimes the players just need to feel what that is like.

"Every game is a learning process whether you win or lose. You come out of it with what you did well and what you need to improve on and you get on with the next week."

Longmire had praise for his senior players, with the likes of Luke Parker (32 disposals), Callum Mills (25 disposals), Jake Lloyd (25 disposals), Josh Kennedy (25 disposals), Dane Rampe (15 disposals) and Sam Reid (15 disposals, 2 goals ) all standing up in key moments when the game was on the line.

"Those guys are really important, the young boys aren't going to do it every week," Longmire said.

"You need to be able to spread the load and those blokes were good tonight, they really stood up in that hard slog."

Lance Franklin marked his second game of the season with his 950th career goal, kicking three for the night, including the match-winner and Longmire said the Swans will continue to monitor the key forward's training and playing program.

"You go with a lot of science behind it and what you need to do and then there's a bit of a gut feel and at the end that you need to get right," Longmire said. 

"Our medical and conditioning guys have been very good with that and Lance has been good. He's done a lot of work but it's ongoing now. We have a few days before next week's game now which is a good thing for him.

"We will take it as we see it, there's no rollout plan other than we will see how he goes."

Longmire also said that young midfielder James Rowbottom was a chance to play next week after missing the last three matches with bone bruising in his knee.

"Rowbottom is a real chance next week. It would be great to have him available if he is ok, hopefully he feels alright next week."