Sydney coach Paul Roos has criticised his team's willingness to do the hard things after the Swans suffered a 39-point loss to Geelong on Saturday night.

The 20.13 (133) to 14.10 (94) defeat had some positive signs for the Swans including kicking six goals to Geelong's four in the final quarter and a five-goal effort from key forward Barry Hall.

But the Swans were badly outplayed in the crucial third term as the Cats piled on seven goals to Sydney's two.

Cats midfielder Gary Ablett gathered 32 possessions and kicked three goals at ANZ Stadium in front of almost 45,000 fans.

Roos praised Paul Bevan, who tagged Steve Johnson (two goals) for three quarters then held Ablett to four touches in the final term.

The loss has cost Sydney (46 points) a spot in the top four and the Swans face difficult assignments in the remaining two rounds against Collingwood (Telstra Dome) and Brisbane (SCG).

Roos said the AFL's defending premiers Geelong, with 19 wins in the first 20 rounds, were unbeatable when they played at their best.

"We played periods of good footy. We've got some players who aren't in great form at the moment which makes it hard," Roos said.

"They've got 22 guys who are prepared to tackle and chase and do all the hard things. We certainly haven't got anywhere near 22.

"Paul Bevan for consistency over four quarters, he's one who really stands out.

"He's hungry. He's a young kid who has a lot of desire. He's a really good competitor. He has a good pedigree in terms of his rugby league background."

Bevan's great uncle Brian Bevan was named in Australian Rugby League's team of the century.

"He's a really good kid and he wants to compete every week and that's the trick in AFL footy," Roos added.

"He has really stepped up this year.

"He played on the Norm Smith Medallist and then went to the (possible 2008) Brownlow Medallist so it was a reasonably tough evening for the fella."

Bevan, 23, had 13 possessions and made six tackles but admitted playing on Johnson was a learning experience.

He described the Collingwood game as a "mini-final".

Bevan said he couldn't pinpoint a reason for Sydney's form lapse, with five losses in seven games.

"I just hope we can get on top of it soon because if we continue to lose games we are a chance of not making the finals at all," he said.

Roos said Jared Crouch had a corked neck and Jarred Moore had courageously played on despite a twisted ankle.

The Swans have more injury worries with fullback Leo Barry missing the Geelong clash because of persistent hamstring problems while full-forward Michael O'Loughlin remains out with an ankle injury.

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