Sydney co-captain Adam Goodes is confident his side's inside toughness can negate rampaging Essendon's outside run in Sunday's ANZ Stadium AFL encounter.

The Bombers continued to register high on the hype meter as they followed up their NAB Cup runners-up effort with an impressive first round demolition of the Bulldogs.

Sydney started their campaign with a draw against the Demons after leading for much of the MCG clash.

Goodes was adamant Sydney had the leg speed to compete with James Hird's supremely fit Bombers.

"Definitely, I think we've got a lot of players who can play outside and inside and our midfield runs pretty deep, so we really just have to watch their run on the outside," Goodes told reporters at the SCG on Wednesday.

"But if we're winning those balls in the contest in tight, then we won't have to worry too much about the guys on the outside."

Goodes admitted the Swans could struggle unless they significantly improved their share of contested football following an uncharacteristically poor showing in that area against Melbourne.

"To be -34, which I think was the worst for the weekend, was pretty disappointing and to think that we were close to winning a game having such a differential like that was quite amazing to be honest," Goodes said.

"That's one area we spoke about and one area that if we don't get right this weekend, against the Bombers, they will have a very happy time up here."

The veteran forward admitted he had been unable to easily erase the memory of missing a relatively straightforward shot at goal, which might have proven the difference against the Demons.

"Every time I've gone to bed since then my mind wonders 'what if I had kicked a little bit straighter,?" Goodes said.

With experienced spearhead Daniel Bradshaw still injured, Goodes was pleased with the way young key forwards Sam Reid and Jesse White performed against Melbourne.

"From a key point of view, I think our tall guys are starting to get it, and really getting in the contest and I think the structure is really working well," Goodes said.'

"I think our smaller forwards are getting into the contest as well. To see Jude (Bolton) pop up and have five shots at goal for three (goals) is a huge bonus for us."

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