Sydney co-captain Brett Kirk says he hopes the Swans turned the corner with their three-quarter performance against the Western Bulldogs last weekend.

The Swans suffered a fourth loss from their past five AFL matches, going down to the Bulldogs by 16 points at Manuka Oval despite winning three quarters.

A second-quarter fadeout as the Bulldogs piled on eight goals to one sealed the win for coach Rodney Eade's side, but Kirk says the Swans are showing positive signs.

Remarkably Sydney have held onto fourth spot despite their form slump, with the Swans on 42 points and leading fifth-placed North Melbourne on percentage.

The Swans are set to regain dual Brownlow Medallist Adam Goodes (groin) and fullback Leo Barry (hamstring) for Saturday night's round-19 clash with 13th-placed Fremantle at the SCG.

"We know exactly where we are at, at the moment and we have to change a few things," Kirk told reporters at the SCG while promoting the Redkite celebrity charity match that will precede the main game.

"I think on the weekend we showed patches (of good form).

"But to be a good side in this competition being so even, you have to be able to consistently produce it week in week out, quarter by quarter, which the top sides like Geelong have been able to do and we are not producing that at the moment.

"It was the second quarter when our concentration lapsed, letting a flood of goals in cost us the game."

Asked if winning three quarters was a step forward, Kirk replied:

"We would like to think so.

"The Western Bulldogs are still sitting in the top four and they are a good side," he said.

"So to be able to do that for three quarters is good but not good enough in the AFL competition. We've got to consistently be able to do it.

"You get knocked around a bit with your confidence when you lose games of footy. But we are just looking forward to the challenge, getting a win on the board hopefully on the weekend and then move forward.

"Our destiny is in our own hands.

"We are not a side that is probably playing like they should be fourth at the moment but we are really looking forward to the challenge this week."

Kirk said first-gamers Ryan Brabazon and Patrick Veszpremi had lifted the team's morale.

"It was great to be able to bring some kids in. You get that enthusiasm and confidence," Kirk said.

"I'm not too sure on selection this week.

"Adam (Goodes) will be close and Leo (Barry) will be up and around the mark. We just have to pick the best possible team we can...

"But they definitely gave us a lift on the weekend, the young players.

"Patrick (one goal and 17 possessions) played with some confidence and flair and played on instinct and I think as a team that's something we need to get back to."

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