Sydney stalwart Leo Barry hopes to make his first senior AFL appearance of the season as the Swans fight to keep the dream of a finals berth alive against Geelong.

Fullback Barry, who has played 234 senior games, hasn't added to that tally this year since undergoing knee surgery in January.

However the 32-year-old defender completed a full game in the reserves against Eastlake on Sunday and was named one of the best on field.

It was his third successive hitout in the reserves after 60 and 90 minute efforts and he was back at fullback after making his comeback as a forward.

Barry said he was hoping to be in the selection mix for the ANZ Stadium clash with the Cats on Saturday.

However, that news was balanced by disappointment for mid-fielder Jarrad McVeigh.

Current club best and fairest McVeigh suffered a hamstring injury during Sunday's thumping 55 point win over Richmond at the MCG.

He underwent a scan and asked about the result on Monday, midfielder McVeigh said "not good".

The club has yet to announce how long McVeigh will be sidelined for.

The win over Richmond combined with other results means Sydney are just one win outside the top eight with three rounds remaining.

However, those three games are against finals-bound sides Geelong, Collingwood and Brisbane.

Defender Craig Bolton acknowledged Sydney still had a chance of making the finals, but insisted that wasn't their main focus.

"It's still a chance technically I guess, it's not something we've been focusing on of late," Bolton told reporters.

"But we've definitely played some good footy in the last couple of weeks, so if we continue that, who knows.

"I think rather than looking at it as an opportunity to play finals, it's more an opportunity just to play some good football."

He felt Sydney's improved form over the last two weeks, which included a heart-breaking one point loss to unbeaten St Kilda, was due to the Swans rediscovering their famed pressure skills.

"Over the last couple of weeks our pressure has really picked up, it's something that we've been focussing in on all year, but it hasn't really happened consistently," Bolton said.

Bolton said Sydney's effort against St Kilda showed they could be competitive against the top teams and he felt Geelong were beatable.

"They are very hard to beat though ... they missed a couple of players the last few weeks and have probably been a little bit off," Bolton said

"But in saying that they are still playing some really good footy and they are a terrific team and they deserve all the accolades they get."

He described the win over Richmond as "huge" given that it also marked the 300th appearance of Swans forward Michael O'Loughlin.

"He (O'Loughlin) is a bit sore and battered today and he has been all year," Bolton said.

He's one of those blokes who can hardly walk during the week, but on the weekend, he manages to come out and play his role really well."

Bolton said he was really excited about Sydney's new look backline.

"Heath Grundy has developed out of sight, he's been a great player for us and Nick Smith and Ed Barlow are really developing and playing some good football.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP