Sydney and West Coast have had contrasting fortunes since their storied AFL rivalry reached its peak in 2006.

While the Eagles are still in the process of rebuilding and appear some distance from recapturing former glories, the Swans have managed to quickly re-tool and are firmly focused on finals football in 2010.

When they meet at the SCG on Saturday afternoon, the third-placed Swans will try to continue their impressive start to the season and are chasing a fourth straight win.

They also want to take advantage of a decent schedule to start their campaign, which continues with another home game against Brisbane next week before a difficult stretch of matches against Geelong, the Western Bulldogs, Fremantle and Hawthorn.

West Coast have been unconvincing so far but are coming off their first win of the year against Essendon, although they lost gun midfielder Daniel Kerr in that match to a hamstring injury that will sideline him for three months.

The Swans have had their first significant interruption to what had thus far been a settled line-up, with the impressive Ben McGlynn (quad) replaced by skilful left-footer Nick Smith.

Even though the teams aren't at the levels they were when they split two flags in classic 2005 and 2006 grand finals, they have continued to have thrilling contests, with Kieren Jack's late goal giving Sydney a five-point win in their only clash last season.

Adam Goodes is anticipating more of the same at the SCG on Saturday.

"It's a game we can't take lightly," he said.

"In the past it's always been a game that up until that last minute, the result isn't decided yet.

"So to play against the Eagles, they aren't travelling the best so far this season, but they still have some fantastic players and some really good players in good form, like Nic Naitinui, who are very dangerous.

"We're looking forward to the challenge."

Losing the experienced Kerr is an enormous blow for West Coast coach John Worsfold.

The All-Australian is one of the last survivors of a once-glorious midfield that included the departed Chris Judd, Ben Cousins, Chad Fletcher and Michael Braun.

He is now filling a mentoring role to some of the Eagles' younger onballers and Worsfold plans to use a number of options to try to fill the void.

"We've got a few players we'll look at," he said.

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