Sydney's coaching staff watched with a combination of admiration and dread as Carlton's Chris Judd turned on a clinic against St Kilda at the MCG.

Judd injected himself into the contest last Friday night by sharking five centre clearances in a brilliant burst of AFL football during the last quarter, dragging the Blues from 33 points down at the last change to within seven.

As the star midfielder took a break on the bench, St Kilda steadied to win by 32 points.

The fourth-placed Swans desperately need a win at Telstra Dome on Sunday against the 10th-placed Blues as Sydney attempt to regain momentum for a top-four push after losses to Collingwood and Hawthorn.

But Swans assistant coach John Longmire says it won't be an easy task after getting a first-hand view of the 2004 Brownlow Medallist's ability to inspire his new team-mates.

"I wouldn't call it a greater respect for him because I've had such a high respect for him, I don't think it could get any higher," Longmire told AAP.

"What he has done for West Coast has been amazing.

"I certainly hold Chris Judd up as high as anyone in the football world.

"We were making a comment as it was going that he just seemed to be getting clearance after clearance, just through his will.

"He was imposing himself on the contest to try to get them up which is what all the great players are able to do and that was really noticeable looking on from the grandstand."

In a match-up that would please all footy fans, the Swans are tossing up sending dual Brownlow Medallist Adam Goodes into battle on Judd.

"We've got a couple of different options. Goodesy has played on him when he played for West Coast," Longmire said.

"Luke Ablett has played on him, Jarrad McVeigh, so we've had a number of different players play on him with different degrees of success, both in games and from quarter to quarter.

"It's very hard to restrict his input for four quarters because great players are able to impose themselves at some stage."

The Swans are banking on Darren Jolly and Peter Everitt to get on top of Carlton's ruck duo of Cameron Cloke and Matthew Kreuzer.

"(But) Carlton have been fantastic in their clearances and their work-rate at ground level so we need to make sure we get that right no matter who wins the tap," Longmire said.

Carlton's key forward Brendan Fevola has kicked 64 goals this season but is coming off a poor game against St Kilda.

Asked if Fevola was due for a big performance after being stung by media criticism, Longmire said: "I hope not.

"I mean, he's such a great talent.

"The whole team feeds off his energy as well so it's important that we restrict him and stop the midfield supply and get the ball moving our way."

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