Sydney's recent defeat to the Brisbane Lions has raised some eyebrows, but midfielder James Rowbottom insists the team is not in a state of panic. The Swans were handed a "timely reminder" of their challenges after suffering a significant 43-point loss at the Gabba last Thursday.

Swans' Struggles Against Top Teams

The second-placed Swans are dealing with their third loss of the season, with all defeats coming against top-five teams. After falling to Hawthorn in round two and Geelong in round 11, the latest setback against the reigning premiers has left them reflecting on their performance. Brisbane effectively countered Sydney's signature handball game, forcing the Swans into uncharacteristic errors under pressure. The Swans lost the clearance battle 46-33 and allowed the Lions eight scoring opportunities from kick-ins.

Looking Ahead

Despite the loss, Sydney remains six points ahead of third-placed Hawthorn, and Rowbottom is optimistic about the team's prospects with eight rounds still to play. "We're still sitting second on the ladder, so we're pretty confident with our game when we play our best," he stated. The Swans will return to the SCG on Friday night to face the eighth-placed Western Bulldogs, followed by a challenging match against ladder leaders Fremantle.

Coach Dean Cox will need to make at least two changes to the lineup due to injuries sustained by key forward Joel Amartey and defender Sam Wicks. Hayden McLean is likely to step in for Amartey, while Matt Roberts could be an option in defense, alongside returning players Dane Rampe, Harry Cunningham, and Lewis Melican. Rowbottom, however, is cautious about expecting a repeat of their earlier 66-point victory over the Bulldogs in round seven.