Sydney co-captain Adam Goodes believes his young squad should take inspiration from the Swans of 2003 - not the premiership year of 2005 - as they bunker down for Sunday's AFL elimination final against Carlton.

With several premiership-winners still on the Sydney roster, one might assume that Sydney would be channelling the spirit of "the Bloods" which drove them to glory five years ago, but Goodes has a longer memory.

In 2003, Paul Roos' first full season as coach, the Swans finished the season in fourth spot with a roster brimming with young talent, just like they possess now.

That talent, and some steely veterans, carried them to within a game of the grand final before they were soundly beaten by eventual premiers Brisbane.

"It is more (similar to) '03 when we were still a developing side," Goodes said on Monday.

"I think for us we just need to go out there and have the confidence like we do have from the season that we've been a part of.

"In '03 that's what we did, we had that confidence in each other and trust and belief, and they're pretty important things that you need in finals footy."

Goodes, 30, said the confidence shown by young Swans Lewis Jetta, Trent Dennis-Lane, Kieren Jack, Daniel Hannebery and one-gamer Sam Reid, should give Sydney fans plenty to smile about heading into the finals.

"The young guys feel confident in their roles which is a really positive thing for us right now," he said.

Coach Paul Roos admits that the Swans are battling against history by chasing premiership glory from outside the top four.

"History shows it is very difficult, to win four games in a row in the finals series is tough," he said.

"(But) it's not impossible.

"Clearly you've got to improve another level again from the home and away season.

"The main thing going into finals, whether you're Collingwood finishing on top or whether you're Carlton finishing eighth, (is that) every team just looks at the following week.

"Everyone knows it's finals and it's not hard to get up for finals footy, you know if you lose you're out. It's do or die."

The Swans will welcome back stars Tadhg Kennelly, Shane Mumford and Hannebery for the ANZ Stadium encounter against Carlton.

The trio missed the impressive win over Brisbane on Saturday night.

In an unexpected boost for Roos, Daniel Bradshaw could be back in a fortnight, after the key forward came through a match with the Swans reserves unscathed, though Ben McGlynn (cheek) is rated less than a 50-50 chance.

Bradshaw, who joined the Swans from Brisbane this year, has not played since he injured his knee in round nine.

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