THE SYDNEY Swans face a critical selection decision ahead of next week's knockout semi-final, with Adam Goodes set to press for his first game in three months as the reigning premiers battle for survival.
Soundly beaten by 54 points against a powerful Hawthorn side at the MCG on Friday night, the Swans will face either Carlton or Richmond at ANZ Stadium next Saturday night.
Goodes has been sidelined since round 13 with a right knee injury, but will complete a skills session on Sunday in a late push to return and boost the Swans, who have lost three of their last four games.
"He's run really well this week," coach John Longmire said on Friday night after the Swans were run over in the second half by the Hawks.
"I spoke to him yesterday and he's pretty pleased with how he's going.
"His first week of training is going to be next week. If he pulls up well from that, I guess it's over to the match committee.
"We need to make sure we get that balance right [with returning players], which will be a discussion we'll have to have later on in the week."
Speedster Lewis Jetta, who had been sidelined since round 10 with a shin injury, returned for the Swans on Friday night, winning four possessions and kicking a goal after coming on in the third quarter as the substitute.
Meanwhile, skilful forward Gary Rohan, who has played four games in his return from a broken leg, finished with just three touches.
"Our bottom six or eight players didn't give us that depth that we've had," Longmire said.
"When you look at what Hawthorn had and their contribution throughout their whole 22, it was a bit more even than ours.
"We've got Gary Rohan and Jetta coming back at the back end of the season, and we're probably relying on them to give us a bit of spark.
"Sometimes Gary's done it, and Jetta's only come back in tonight. We need to get that going."
While disappointed, Longmire emphasised his side had worked hard to earn a double chance and they were still alive.
He said the Swans would rely on the character of their players as they take the long road through September.
"We've still got a bit of footy to play this year, we hope … that's what we've got to get out of it," he said.
"The facts are that we've got another game next week and we need to play better than we did tonight.
"That's the point we find ourselves.
"We've played the best team in the comp in the home and away season tonight and we got beaten pretty comprehensively in the second half.
"[But] we're still alive."
