Sydney Swan Jude Bolton said he was satisfied with his contribution upon returning to the field in Saturday’s 39-point victory over the Western Bulldogs at the SCG.

The veteran midfielder came back into the side after missing two games with a jarred knee and continued his stellar 2011 form by amassing 27 possessions, 13 contested touches, six clearances, six tackles and a goal.

“It was just good to be able to contribute and help get us over the line,” Bolton told SwansTV in the rooms after the game.

“It was a pretty hard fought win for the guys, but we could of actually made it a little bit easier for ourselves by kicking straight and putting on a bit more pressure in that sense.”

With the team going to the bye this weekend, Bolton emphasised the importance of the victory with the Swans likely to be jostling for one of the prime positions in the lower half of the top eight come season's end.

“There’s a fair fight for those last few spots in the eight and we certainly needed to win after St Kilda’s win last night and also the fact we dropped four of the last five,” he said.

“It was a critical game for us, and that’s the sort of intensity we need for the rest of the year no matter who we play.”

Bolton highlighted the ruck work of Shane Mumford as the impetus for the Swans finishing the game comfortable winners over the Bulldogs, not only on the scoreboard, but in all of the key stats - contested possessions (203-161), clearances (55-45) and inside-50s (74-46).

Bolton also praised the effort of co-captain Adam Goodes in setting the tone for the team by collecting a career-best 34 disposals and having a major influence around the contest.

“He typified the work rate we needed and just led from the front,” Bolton said.

“He’s explosive, and you could see him cutting them up by winning the footy and breaking from the stoppages. That’s what we need Goodesy doing week in, week out and hopefully it continues.”