OVER the past decade, the Sydney Swans have taken great pride in their disciplined, committed style of AFL football.

It is a philosophy that has led to eight finals appearances over the past 10 years, two grand finals and the 2005 premiership.

So co-captain Adam Goodes, an integral piece of the club's puzzle ever since his debut in 1999, admits he found the Swans side that lost to Fremantle on Sunday almost unrecognisable.

Repeated infringements and ill-discipline, leading to 50m penalties and easy Fremantle goals, as well as a number of melees were foreign sights to see at the SCG.

It was a key factor in the Swans' costly 15.8 (98) to 13.9 (87) defeat that has them clinging to eighth place on the ladder.

"It's a funny one, I've never seen so many 50m penalties in a game," Goodes said following a recovery session at Bondi Beach on Monday.

"I've never seen those little scuffles as well, we've never really been drawn into those in the past from my memory.

"It's definitely something we have to address. The discipline on the weekend was unacceptable and we have to take responsibility for that and in the end it's free-kick goals that cost us the game.

"I think they kicked six or seven. You cut those out, make it a bit harder for the opposition to score, you still have that run in the last quarter, you never know which way the game could go."

After the game, Swans coach John Longmire said he would review all the calls that went against his side before deciding whether to contact the AFL's umpiring department for any clarification.

But Goodes was more interested in the Swans looking internally at mistakes that were made in such an important contest.

"I think the things we'll be focusing on is why did we let them kick six goals in 14 minutes towards the end of the third quarter?" he said.

"Plus just our energy levels in the first half. They're the things that we need to address for us to bounce back on a six-day break against a team that's looking to do the same."

That team is the Western Bulldogs, again at the SCG this Saturday.

Following their loss to North Melbourne on Sunday, the Bulldogs are one and a half wins outside the top eight and will be just as desperate the Swans in another crunch game.

After this weekend the Swans have a bye and Goodes says it's vital his team simply finds a way to win.

"Going into the bye we just really need to get a victory, get the four points, get some confidence back," he said.

"We've lost four of the last five, we've got a young playing group; we just need that confidence back of winning a game of footy, on our home turf as well."

Asked if there could be changes to the team to take on the Bulldogs, Goodes suggested it was time for individuals to show they are up to the challenges ahead.

"It's going to be interesting, I think we've got a few sore blokes from the weekend," he said.

"First things first we'll review the game, look at what we need to improve on, see who's fit and ready and who really wants to be part of getting this team going for finals footy."