SYDNEY selectors got it right by axing Kurt Tippett ahead of Thursday night's Grand Final rematch, fans say.

The highly paid big man is the side's biggest underperformer according to Swans fans who delivered their mid-season verdict on Sydney in an AFL.com.au survey.

Tippett has suffered ankle and hip problems this season and kicked just three goals from five games during his team's disastrous start to 2017.

An 0-6 start made finals a tough ask, and though a sizeable proportion of fans believe Sydney can defy the odds, a majority believe a barely creditable 10th-placed finish is most likely.

Here are the survey results, plus a selection of fans' views on how the Swans can salvage their season.

It'll be a good year for the Swans if ...

We make finals. Otherwise it is a failed and wasted campaign with the players we have.
- Jonathon Gilmore, Newcastle NSW

We push for the eight and just show some grit and fight our way through four quarters.
- Michael Cooper, Jerrabomberra NSW

We unload Kurt Tippet ASAP, trade Sam Reid, and sign Zak Jones long term.
- Ben Ashenden, Keilor Vic

All the fans stop slagging off 'Horse' Longmire and realise that teams are allowed to have a bad year when they're transitioning players.
- Ellie Yandell, Sydney NSW

Franklin wins the Coleman and Sydney scrapes into the finals!
- Heather Quinlan, Como WA

Form is found, finals played and youngsters continue taking full advantage of game time. An Alex Johnson return would be pretty special, too.
- Ariel Travitz, Caulfield North Vic

We do better than Collingwood.
- David Rickard, Ireland

Read more

• Sydney mid-season review: How the Swans' best 22 has changed

• More mid-season reviews: your club's pass mark and biggest worry

• Fan survey results: Your AFL MVP, and where Dusty will play next

• When and why the Magpies started hitting winners