Sydney AFL co-captain Brett Kirk has hailed the successful conversion of hard running team-mate Ryan O'Keefe, whose season has blossomed since moving from his traditional half forward role.

O'Keefe struggled to make an impression in the early rounds as the Swans battled to kick winning scores without injured key forward Barry Hall and Michael O'Loughlin.

Since the return of the veteran duo, O'Keefe has flourished in a midfield role.

The 28-year-old veteran of 172 AFL appearances has tallied 22 touches against Richmond and 25 against Geelong and West Coast over the last three rounds.

"I think it's been a real step forward for us and he's probably taken a bit of the load off Jude (Bolton) and I in terms of the bullocking work that we do each week," Kirk said.

"He's got some composure, a real strong body and I think the last couple of weeks he's played some really good footy.

"He can go forward and also plays as a tall midfielder similar to the way Adam (Goodes) does, probably a bit more inside."

Kirk reiterated he hadn't given any thought as to whether this would be his last season and that he was continuing to play on a "moment-by-moment and game-by-game" basis.

"I'm really enjoying my footy and I'll just weigh it up when the time comes," Kirk said.

He rated the current competition as the most even of his lengthy career and felt mental attitude was the difference between the best and the rest.

"I think St Kilda and Geelong are probably standouts at the moment and I think because they are getting such an even contribution, it just shows that mentality," Kirk said.

"They are really firing up each week and other sides are a bit up and down and that's where we have been at.

Kirk wasn't surprised by Port's good start to the season.

"I think they are a good side. In the pre-season competition I sort of looked at them and earmarked them as a side that's going to be up around the top teams.

"They've got some really good young players. They've got a good balance of inside players with some strong bodies, but they've got some really quick outside guys in Danyle Pearce and David Rodan and Peter Burgoyne, those guys can hurt you with the footy."

Sydney's only injury doubt for this week is defender Lewis Roberts-Thomson, who is battling with a buttock injury.

Roberts-Thomson ran at training on Wednesday and coach Paul Roos said the back would be named in the side on Thursday and checked at training on Friday.

Roos said veteran fullback Leo Barry was still on course to make his first senior appearance in the round 12 game against Collingwood following the Swans' bye.

Roos said Barry pulled up a bit sore after his comeback appearance in the reserves the weekend before last and would probably get more training time than game time before returning to the senior side.

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