SYDNEY'S recent form has given coach John Longmire confidence his team can be competitive in September if they continue their winning ways.

The Swans have won seven of their last eight games after they dropped their first six of the season. 

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Remarkably, they are now in the eight and are suddenly playing the type of football that makes them a threat with eight rounds to go.

"We've had to do a lot of work to get back to where we are, but we know when we play our brand of footy we can be competitive, and that's what we've been over the last eight weeks," Longmire said after the Swans' 35-point win over a battered Melbourne outfit. 

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"We've played good footy over the last two months, which is a consistent brand of footy, but we still haven't got much wiggle room, we're back to even-Stevens in regards to win-loss.

"We've got to get there first, that's the obvious statement from a coach but it's the reality of it too." 

Longmire said while he knew the Swans would overcome their early season slump, he admitted surprise at how long it lasted. 

"We always said we were missing some personnel early and that had an added effect; a bigger effect than we'd hoped," he said.

"We still went away from the type of footy we'd like to play, but we were always confident we'd be able to get going. 

"We took longer than we expected, but we've been able to get into a rhythm in regards to our footy and knowing what works, and that's really important, it gives the players confidence. 

"Once again, it's a very fine line. The last two weeks, there's been a kick in it and we've been on the right side of the ledger.

"It's that kind of season; it's amazing how close it is." 

With some key players back, the Swans are looking a stronger outfit and were further bolstered on Friday night by the return of veteran Jarrad McVeigh. 

The 32-year-old was a composed figure across half-back, and Longmire said they were confident they had got the ex-skipper's rehabilitation from his latest hamstring injury right this time. 

McVeigh ended with 24 touches and was managed late in the game in what was just his third AFL hit-out for the year. 

"I thought he was ok, we were pretty pleased with him," Longmire said. 

"Particularly early when the heat was on, he was actually quite ok, which was good, and we were pleased he got through the game and he pulled up well." 

Longmire said they were aware of the Demons' arduous recent schedule that has featured three six-day breaks and a trip to Perth, but their main focus was to keep going and overcome another inaccurate start.

He said Callum Mills was "fine" after being struck by Tom Bugg in the opening minutes of the game and subsequently sitting out with concussion, while Dan Hannebery suffered a cork.