The Swans have been comprehensively beaten by Geelong and the Western Bulldogs - both top-four sides in 2009 - in the space of six days.
Injuries and suspension haven’t helped Roos’ cause, but the Swans coach was philosophical following Saturday’s 38-point loss to the Bulldogs at Manuka Oval in Canberra.
“We’ve played two really good sides in the last week and it gives us a chance to see where we’re at - and we’re a fair way off the pace at the moment, I suppose particularly when you lose some really experienced players,” he said.
“We’re certainly not a good enough team to have four or five out and be competitive, so it gives our players an opportunity to see what the best teams are doing and then assess themselves against the best teams in the competition.”
Already missing their two starting ruckmen, the Swans were rocked before the game by the loss of leading goalkicker Daniel Bradshaw.
Losing Bradshaw had a two-fold effect for the Swans, not only depriving them of valuable potency in attack but allowing Bulldog playmaker Brian Lake to take advantage of his absence.
“Obviously it (Bradshaw’s absence) doesn’t help because he’s been such a terrific player for us and it frees Lake up,” Roos said after the match.
“I mean Lake had 24 (disposals) and kicked two goals from full-back, which is not a bad effort.”
Roos said Bradshaw, who missed with knee soreness, was only a couple of days off being fit to play and should be right to tackle Fremantle next week.
Making matters worse, the coach not only had to watch his own team struggle in attack - the Swans managed as many inside-50s as the Bulldogs - but watch a former Swan destroy his team.
Barry Hall kicked 5.4 to lead the Dogs to victory although Roos, as he has done since Hall moved to the Whitten Oval, had nothing but good wishes for his former premiership captain, although he admitted wishing Hall had saved some of his vintage form for another day.
“I wasn’t that happy about him today, because he played against us,” Roos said.
“But you know we couldn’t be happier for Hally. He’s playing well, he seems happy with his footy, he seems content with everything.”
The Swans will try to get their season back on track when they host Fremantle next week.
Young ruck duo of Mike Pyke and Jesse White battled manfully against the Bulldogs on Saturday, but Roos joked the pair might need to produce something special next week when they confront man mountain Aaron Sandilands.
“I think our ruckmen are going to have to take a stick out with them next week,” Roos said.
“Maybe with a hand on the end of it. You know those big clappers you can get? Maybe we can get one for Pykey and one for Jesse.”
