A SIX-GAME winning streak and losses from teams around them has lifted the Sydney Swans to second place on the AFL ladder, but the club knows it faces a mighty task to stay there.

 

Jockeying with Fremantle for fourth and fifth for much of the year, the Swans' winning form and recent defeats by Geelong, Essendon and the Dockers has allowed them to move just two points behind Hawthorn.

 

If they can stay there, the Swans will earn a home final in the first week of September and the best possible shot at hosting a preliminary final.

 

The Swans need only look at last season, however, to see how quickly the situation can change.

 

Sitting first between rounds 15 and 21, the Swans lost their final two matches to Hawthorn and Geelong to slip to third, forcing them to head to Adelaide to open their finals campaign.

 

Their run home is just as daunting this year, starting with a resurgent Collingwood this week and ending with a trip to Geelong and a Friday night showdown with Hawthorn at ANZ Stadium.

 

"It's a tough run. If you've seen our draw, we play some really good sides," defender Rhyce Shaw told reporters at a recovery session on Monday.

 

"Hawthorn play some good sides as well, Geelong, Fremantle have a dangerous game against Port (in round 22) – it's all up for grabs.

 

"You can't take your foot off the pedal at all if you're any side in the finals because you can slip very dramatically very quickly.

 

"We're just looking at Collingwood this week.

 

"You want to shore up a home final if you can, but we've got Geelong and Hawthorn in our last two games and anything can happen."

 

Shaw returned from a 16-week layoff with abdominal and pelvic issues in the Swans' 35-point victory over the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.

 

Used in a defensive role up the ground on the Dogs' Robert Murphy, Shaw was substituted in the third term and said he pulled up well.

 

The lay-off was his longest since rupturing his ACL with Collingwood in 2005 and while it was frustrating, he didn't fear for his place in the Swans' side.

 

"As an older player you look at it differently," Shaw said.

 

"If I was a bit younger you might be a bit more wary of that and trying to get back as soon as I can.

 

"But as an older player I can sit back and know this is great for our footy club.

 

"We've had five or six guys who have come up and are playing their roles really well and provided the team with a real spark.

 

"Our depth has grown and it's fantastic."

 

He has yet to discuss his role with coach John Longmire, but suggested he might soon replace his good mate Jarrad McVeigh in the back line, stating "he's been down there all year and he's not used to manning up."

 

Another Swan fighting to come back from injury is Adam Goodes, who is recovering from knee surgery.

 

Shaw said the dual Brownlow medallist could be thrown into a final in his first game back.

 

"It's not ideal," Shaw said. "You can't shy away from that. But we just take what comes.

 

"If Goodesy comes back a week before the finals or the first week of the finals, then so be it.

 

"We know Adam Goodes is Adam Goodes, he's done everything in the game, and I don't think you'll be leaving that guy out."