SWANS defender Leo Barry said he would like to continue playing next season but would not be ready to make a decision until the end of the season.

The reliable defender debuted for the Swans in 1995 after arriving from NSW side Deniliquin. The 2005 premiership hero has racked up 227 matches for the Bloods including 15 finals.

"I'd like to think I can keep playing but that's a decision to be made at the end of the end of the year," Barry said.

After a hamstring injury hampered the 31-year-old last year, Barry's consistent performances in the stingiest defence in the league have helped the Swans to fourth spot on the ladder going into the final half of this campaign.

In 13 games this season, Barry's stats read 212 possessions and 92 marks. He said if he could continue having an influence that would be an important factor in considering whether he would continue.

In the meantime, a refreshed Sydney Swans have regrouped ahead of Saturday's blockbuster with Collingwood. The players took five days off after their win over Melbourne last week, and a skills session on Sunday kicked off preparations for this week's clash.

"It's more of a mental break," Barry said of the split round. "We've no doubt we'll be right come Saturday night."

Barry described the clash with the top eight Magpies as a "season-defining" game expected to be played in front of a large crowd at ANZ Stadium.

"They beat us three times last year and they always sort of match up well against us and rise to the challenge of playing us.

"It's going to be a really big challenge and we know they're only one or two spots below us [on the ladder]."

While the Magpies will be without injured spearhead Anthony Rocca, the Swans will be missing their own superstar. For the first time since 1999 the Swans will run out minus on-baller Adam Goodes, who will serve a one-match suspension.

The Swans' players have had their mid-season review meeting and Barry said the players should be satisfied with nine wins, three losses and one draw.

"I think it's probably the best first half of the season we've had for a number of years."

He described the side's progress in 2008 as "comparable" to seasons 2005 and 2006. "And we've got a pretty healthy list which really determines how you play and developing a bit of momentum.

"But in saying that our next month is extremely hard."