Sydney co-captain Brett Kirk admitted he felt heartbroken after a 23-point loss to Collingwood at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night left the Swans battling to continue their proud finals record.

Trailing by just three points at three-quarter time, Sydney had all the running in the final term but could only manage six behinds. The Magpies sparked into life to kick 4.2 and prevail 13.11 (89) to 9.12 (66) in front of 41,042 fans.

It was Collingwood's seventh straight win over the Swans and took them to 7-5 for the season as they target a top-four finish.

But it was a very different story for a Sydney side that has slumped to 5-7 and in real danger of missing the finals for the first time in seven years.

"It's heartbreaking," a disconsolate Kirk said after the game.

"The biggest game of the year for us. It was an arm wrestle.

"We knew it was going to be an arm-wrestle tonight.

"Unfortunately we were the ones that wilted in the end and it's really disappointing. I'm shattered."

There were some telling moments in the final quarter, including Ted Richards giving away a needless 50-metre penalty 10 minutes into the term that gifted Leon Davis a goal and the 'Pies a 12-point lead and all the momentum.

They then managed three more goals to shut the door on the Swans, with Alan Didak leading the way with a best-on-ground performance.

Didak finished with 34 possessions, including 29 kicks, plus six marks and two goals, while Dane Swan had 29 touches and Davis kicked three goals for the 'Pies.

Kirk and Ryan O'Keefe both had 41 possessions for the Swans, with O'Keefe, Barry Hall and Kieren Jack kicking two goals.

While Kirk was a shattered figure after the game, he refused to write off Sydney's chances of getting back into the top eight.

Their next assignment is away to the Crows in Adelaide on Saturday.

"Nothing's impossible," he said.

"Our club's all about standing up, never giving up and there's no way in the world that thought's ever going to cross my mind.

"That's how our players feel.

"We suit back up, we learn from our mistakes and we hit next week head on. We've got to pick blokes who are going to commit every week."

Mick Malthouse, who coached his 600th AFL game against the Swans, stuck to his usual theme and was reluctant to praise individual players, although he couldn't avoid agreeing Didak's effort had been special.

"Alan had beautiful use of the football," he said.

"(But) it was a very good team effort."

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