Sydney's dual Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes said the Swans would be foolish to underestimate a West Coast side missing one-time masters Ben Cousins and Chris Judd this weekend.

The fixture has developed into one of the league's foremost modern-day rivalries, with epic grand final encounters in 2005 and 2006 and an average winning margin of just 14 points in the 12 matches the teams have contested since 2003.

Goodes was tipping another close one at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.

"I think we've got a great rivalry because we both play one-on-one, hard contested football," he said.

"The (close) results have come because it does come down to every single contest on the ground at any time during the game.

"We'll be going in very confident because there's no Judd and no Cousins (but) you can't then switch off and think those two guys were the difference in the past because like us they do rely heavily on other people."

Goodes said one player to look out for was All-Australian ruckman Dean Cox, who is expected to play after scans cleared him of a fractured foot.

"Cox, he's the number one dominant ruckman in the competition and he has been for a few years and we'll plan for him playing," said Goodes.

After a slow start to the season, Goodes looked to be back in good touch during Saturday night's 17-point win over Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.

The 28-year-old said his lift in form should in many ways be credited to the sudden emergence of young talent at the club.

"We've got so many young guys in the team - (Craig) Bird, (Paul) Bevan and (Ed) Barlow - the three B's.

"We've also got (Jarred Moore) Moorey who's playing fantastic and Jarrad McVeigh who's gone to another level.

"It's the environment around now, they're comfortable in their positions and they've been given the opportunity to play some good footy and they're really taking it.

"These younger guys are bringing that enthusiasm, that excitement, that passion and it's really affecting us older guys."

Goodes said the comparisons being drawn between himself and Barlow weren't too far off the mark and suggested the 21-year-old had unlimited potential after showing glimpses of magic against the Lions.

"Look, the way he goes about his footy there's definitely some similarities," said Goodes.

"I think he's a lot more athletic than what I am. He's got a bigger engine than what I have.

"The day Ed realises he can run around the paddock and no-one can stop him hopefully is not too far away because I think it's just (a lack of) confidence that will hold him back."

Goodes also had time to chuckle about Lions coach Leigh Matthews' comments that he was a "protected species" with umpires.

"I thought it was a bit of tongue-in-cheek. I had a bit of a giggle," said Goodes.

"Over the last four to five years I've given away more free kicks than I've actually gotten, so I don't know if I'm protected by the umpires in any respect."

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