Sydney are preparing to go from one extreme to the other when they face Carlton next Sunday in a critical AFL game for both teams at Etihad Stadium.

The Swans' 30-point win over North Melbourne at the SCG combined with the Blues' 68-point shellacking by the Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium resulted in the two teams swapping positions.

Sydney moved level on points with Carlton, but leapfrogged the Blues into sixth place on percentage.

With seven rounds remaining, less than one percentage point divides the two teams heading into their encounter.

"It's a crucial game for both teams," Roos told reporters on Monday.

"It's going to be a great game and two teams that want to fight, fight and scratch to stay in the eight."

Roos anticipates Sydney can expect very different conditions in Melbourne after playing on a rare gluepot on the SCG against the Kangaroos.

"I guess you couldn't get two (more) different surfaces," Roos said.

"The one we played on the weekend was muddy and we probably haven't seen a ground like that for many years.

"Then you go to the indoor venue of Etihad, which is pretty fast, so that might impact on selection.

"Last week we trained in the rain, so it was actually quite good preparation. Hopefully we have a good week of weather so we can train on a bit faster deck than what we did last week."

Roos expected running back Martin Mattner to return from a quadriceps injury.

He said the Swans could look at promoting a couple of players from the reserves, with youngster Lewis Jetta and Jesse White, who kicked eight goals, performing well for Sydney's seconds against Tuggeranong.

The Sydney coach suggested he would persevere with Ted Richards, who filled in at full-forward against North Melbourne.

"I think so, he did a really good job and he competed really well and did all the things we asked of him and he provided a real target for us," Roos said.

Roos believed Sydney and Carlton were identical in the sense they both had makeshift forward lines this season, which placed even greater emphasis on the midfield contest.

"They (Carlton) have done a really good job with (Brendan) Fevola being out of their team this year and off to Brisbane. They've done a terrific job restructuring their forward line," Roos said.

"We had Daniel Bradshaw out and so we had to restructure a bit on the weekend, it's very similar.

"We need to get some good ascendancy from our midfielders and they will need to do the same."

A diplomatic Roos chuckled when reminded former Sydney forward Barry Hall kicked six goals against the Blues on Sunday to lift his tally for the year to 54.

Adam Goodes returned to form after being switched from the forward line to the midfield and Roos indicated he would keep his options open about the dual Brownlow medallist's position this weekend.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP