Sydney coach John Longmire has hailed the leadership qualities of Swans co-captain Adam Goodes in the wake of last Saturday's gut-wrenching one-point AFL defeat to Essendon.

Goodes dominated the clash at Etihad Stadium with 28 disposals and three goals, but missed a crucial 50-metre shot at goal after the final siren as the Bombers held on for a 15.10 (100) to 14.15 (99) win.

The Swans, who sit in seventh spot on the ladder, equal on 38 points with the eighth-placed Bombers, face Richmond at the MCG on Sunday in a must-win match.

Longmire said Goodes was disappointed after the match but didn't let it affect his leadership duties.

"I thought the way he handled himself last week was outstanding," Longmire said on Friday.

"He knew he was disappointed with himself for missing that last shot.

"He wasn't getting down about it."

Longmire admitted his side were hit hard by the narrow defeat, but said the two-time Brownlow medallist was vital in lifting the spirits of the young players.

"Early in the week, no doubt everyone was a bit flat," Longmire said.

"In the last couple of weeks in particular at important times in the game he's really lifted, and that's the thing you look for in your leaders.

"He was able to do that during the game and I thought also after the game.

"He's an experienced professional, the captain of our footy club and he's really shown it this week."

The Swans kicked a wasteful 2.9 in the final term against Essendon and Longmire said fatigue was a factor.

"We would have liked to have kicked a bit straighter in the last quarter," he said.

"There's no point in doing it for three quarters then dropping away, especially when you're playing in finals-type games, which they were last week.

"It was red hot and I expect it to be red hot against the Tigers.

"We have to win this week, there's a lot at stake for us."

Brett Meredith is likely to come back from a hamstring injury to facethe Tigers, but Jarrad McVeigh's availability remains unclear due to the health of his new-born daughter.

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