Sydney coach Paul Roos has challenged the Swans to take some risks on Sunday, in a match which could decide eighth spot on the AFL ladder.

They have to do something.

After six losses in their past eight games, Sydney (7-7) are clinging to eighth spot on percentage and will swap places with ninth-placed North Melbourne if the Kangaroos can score their first win at the SCG in six years.

Last week's shock four-point loss to Richmond at the MCG lifted the Tigers off the bottom and sent Swans fans into deep depression, but Roos says that poor performance is best forgotten.

We've backed off a little bit in our team meetings due to the fact that you tend to not dwell on those sorts of games," Roos said on Friday.

"The players are aware of the ladder all the time. Every game is important.

"Harder (at the ball) for longer, that's what we need.

"They've got to get back to being a bit more direct, go through the corridor.

"Once we do get the ball, be a bit more brave with it.

"We've got to really look at ourselves and work harder for longer."

The Swans had a team dinner during the week to talk about non-football issues and breathe some life back into the club's finals push.

"It starts with enthusiasm. You can't get down," Roos said.

"It's just changing their mindset and (ensuring the players are) looking forward to training.

"As a coach, you try to focus on the positives rather than the negatives. There was a fair bit of positive stuff in the first three quarters, but we lost the game.

"We want to go into North Melbourne with the guys feeling as good about themselves as possible, and hopefully we can acquit ourselves for four quarters rather than three."

Midfielder Jarrad McVeigh admits the fun factor has been lacking.

"We just want to get back to playing some exciting footy and having fun while we're out there. That's the main thing," he said.

"A lot of the guys are nervous about making mistakes, but that's not what we're about.

"We're about having a go at your kicks, have a go at everything. If it comes off, it comes off, and if it doesn't, so be it."

Ted Richards and Paul Bevan have been recalled for injured duo Henry Playfair (back) and Craig Bird (foot).

Midfielder Brett Meredith, who made his debut in 2009, replaces injured defender Martin Mattner (corked thigh).

Roos says defender Richards is likely to be switched forward with Playfair out.

Full-forward Adam Goodes remains under the microscope after he kicked 2.3 against Richmond.

"There's always pressure on Goodesy. He's won two Brownlow's and he's a superstar," McVeigh said.

"By his own standards, he wants to play well.

"I've got no doubt that with the person he is and the player he is, at some stage he'll be playing very, very good footy."

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