The faltering Sydney Swans regard Sunday's AFL clash with Carlton at Telstra Dome as a massive must-win clash as they attempt to regain momentum and fight off their rivals for fourth spot.

Successive losses to Collingwood and Hawthorn together with two straight wins for the Magpies have seen that side move to within two points of the stalling Swans.

With testing fixtures against fellow finals aspirants Adelaide, Western Bulldogs, Geelong, Collingwood and Brisbane, Sydney desperately needs to kick start its campaign on Sunday.

"I think it's a massive game," Sydney midfielder Kieren Jack told AAP.

"The past three weeks we've been really down on form.

"If we can get back to it in this game against Carlton, it's going to give us a lot of momentum going into the back end of the season.

"It can get us back into the swing of things."

A victory is also critical for Carlton's finals aspirations as they entered the round four points off eighth spot.

Sydney coach Paul Roos said Adam Goodes could possibly line up on Chris Judd and was looking for a more energetic performance from his team this week.

"The guys working for each other and working hard, that has really been the focus," Roos said.

"The players themselves need to get a bit of that excitement and a bit of that enthusiasm."

While Jack said containing Carlton's superstars Judd and Brendan Fevola was obviously crucial, he was also weary of their emerging group of midfield runners.

"They (Judd and Fevola) are the two main focal points that we are looking at, but they've got a lot of good genuine players in their midfield, (Marc) Murphy and (Nick) Stevens and players like that."

Jack said the inclusion of debutant Matt O'Dwyer would add a lot of run for Sydney.

Tadhg Kennelly chalks up his 150th appearance for Sydney and Carlton's Jarrad Waite tallies his 100th AFL game.

The Blues will be endeavouring to end a 10-match losing streak against the Swans.

Carlton's most recent victory over Sydney was in 2000 at Princes Park.

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