Dan Hannebery has shown his courage in the AFL is faultless, but Sydney assistant coach Leigh Tudor wants that tempered with better judgment.

Last year's Rising Star winner will be a key player for the Swans in their important clash on Sunday against Richmond at the MCG.

After last weekend's one-point loss to Essendon, Sydney must beat the Tigers to stay in the top eight.

Hannebery bravely ran back with the flight of the ball last Saturday night and was hammered by Essendon key forward Michael Hurley in a legal collision.

But the 20-year-old was back on the field only minutes later and was one of his team's best players.

When he reviewed Hannebery's game, Tudor spoke about the Hurley clash.

"We had a brief discussion about it, after viewing my game, and just basically saying sometimes you've got to be a bit smarter - knowing where the opposition players are, where your players are and the position of your body," Hannebery told AAP.

"Besides that, I think it's about playing the game on instinct.

"If you think you can influence a contest or get involved, it's just about backing your instinct and doing it.

"I'm not going to stop playing on instinct, I'm sure I'd probably go again, but maybe turn my body and shield myself a bit better than I did."

Hannebery pulled up well from the match, despite having Hurley's knees imprinted on his back, and said the Swans have prepared well for the Richmond match.

"We had another really good training session today (Friday), probably it would be up there with one of our better sessions for the year," he said.

"It's a critical game on Sunday, a must-win - we can't afford to drop this game, it's massive for our season.

"Richmond are going to be out there to a prove a point to their supporters as well, it's a massive game for both clubs.

"We don't want to go back to Sydney with anything else other than having a win."

While the Swans were flat after the Essendonloss, coach John Longmire noted they could take great heart from the superb effort they had shown through arguably the best game of the season.

It was goalkicking and other elements of their skill execution that cost the Swans.

"We're very positive and optimistic about the next few weeks, we think we're on track," Hannebery said.

"There's no reason why, if we bring that same effort, we can't come away with the win."

The Swans have recalled Jarrad McVeigh, but he still could be in doubt because of his newborn child's ill health.

Sydney also included Brett Meredith as they left out Nick Malceski and Trent Dennis-Lane.

The Tigers recalled Jayden Post and Jake Batchelor for Luke McGuane and Reece Conca (leg).

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