SYDNEY is one win - and a few helpful results - away from clambering into the AFL's top eight.

The Swans' finals hopes have rarely been news in recent years; it's appeared almost a formality. In the past 14 seasons they have finished outside the top eight only once.

But things changed dramatically when John Longmire's men opened their 2017 campaign with six-straight losses. It was the club's worst start to a season since 1993, when they collected the wooden spoon.

No side in VFL/AFL history has ever rallied from 0-5 and reached finals, let alone 0-6.

There is still a long way to go but helping the Swans' cause is how even the season has been. They can claim eighth-placed Essendon's spot on the ladder if they beat the Bombers at the SCG on Friday night.

If the Western Bulldogs, St Kilda and Fremantle all lose on the weekend then Sydney will remain in the top eight at the end of round 14.

The turnaround has staggered plenty of pundits but last year's Rising Star winner Callum Mills says belief was never an issue for the side, even at their lowest ebb.

"Our group has got a strong belief about what we can do. We try to prove that each week and we obviously didn't do it for the first half of the season, so now we're trying to make amends," Mills told AAP.

"We've changed a lot (since the losing streak) but the main thing has been our attack on the footy and winning the crucial one-on-one contested balls."

Longmire and gun midfielder Josh Kennedy, who was appointed captain during the off-season, have played key roles in helping Sydney rediscover their mojo.

"John has been great for us younger guys, coaching us the right way through it," Mills said.

Kennedy, who ranks second in the League for contested possessions, has led with both words and actions.

"You can't fault Josh at all. He's been tremendous in helping us get back into gear," Mills said.

"He was (vocal during the 0-6 start), as were all our leaders ... we've got great leaders. It's not hard to find good footsteps to follow in.

"None of us accepted it, it's not like there were one or two of us putting our hands up. We realised it wasn't on and we needed to do something about it.

"We've still got a long way to go and a lot more hard work to come."

Mills described the Bombers as a dangerous outfit and admitted the absence of suspended teammate Zak Jones was a "massive loss" for the Swans.