SYDNEY Swans defender Marty Mattner says he'd love to see spearhead Barry Hall return to a Swans forward structure minus the injured Michael O'Loughlin against the Crows on Saturday.

Hall has been missing since the round 14 game against Collingwood, a match which resulted in his second suspension of the year.

"Oh, I'd love to have him back in the side. He's a key part of the team, but I guess it's up to the selectors and Roosy," Mattner said on Tuesday.

Hall is currently unavailable for selection and is working with the club's sports psychologist Grant Brecht, who will advise coach Paul Roos when he feels Hall is right to return.

Hall travelled to Melbourne with the squad for the Carlton game last weekend, and Mattner senses the big man is in an improved frame of mind.

"It was good for him [Hall] to be there, to be around the club and show his face. And I think he'll be training today.

"It would be amazing for him to play [against Adelaide]. And he's shown over the last year or two how important he is to the team. When he's played he's played well and we've won a lot of our games.

"To have him back would be great. But we'll have to wait and see."

Meanwhile, Mattner is revelling in his "new fresh start "at the Swans after the 25-year-old South Australian switched from the Crows during the off-season. Mattner spent six seasons with Adelaide and racked up 98 appearances.

The running defender said his family had become Swans fans this season and a number would travel to Sydney for the game against his former teammates.

And Mattner said that despite a poor run of form for the Crows leading into Saturday's clash, they were still good enough for a spot in the eight. They now sit ninth.

"I guess they are bit like us; they started well but they've lost five in a row now. So they are struggling and with key injuries to forwards [Brett] Burton and [Jason] Porplyzia, but they are a good side and they'll bounce back.

"I think they'll play finals footy."

Mattner is also hoping to play finals footy, with last week's gutsy win over the Blues a turning point of sorts after two losses on the trot for the fourth-placed Swans.

"What makes a good team is to win those tight games," he said.