Sydney will be hoping an out-of-sorts showing against St Kilda doesn't come back to bite them when AFL finals rolls around.
The Swans' push for a top four spot, and the second finals chance that comes with it, suffered a sizeable blow at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night when they were outgunned by 29 points.
It could leave John Longmire's side two wins outside fourth position by the end of the round if other results don't go their way.
"We were scored too heavily against on turnover, we've been very good with that all year. It was on the back of some average disposals," said Longmire.
"It's probably a refection of the pressure we didn't apply to the ball. We just weren't as good as we have been all year in that area."
Sydney came into the game on a five-game winning streak but couldn't match the pressure of the Saints, who kept their slim top-eight hopes alive.
Sydney will be aiming to bounce back next week against North Melbourne before rounding out the regular season against the Gold Coast, who registered an upset over Carlton on Saturday.
Longmire was asked whether the loss was a reminder of what was needed with finals looming.
"You'd rather not need a reminder. It's something we think we'd be pretty aware of, what you need to bring," he said.
"We're just trying to make sure we play really good intense footy each week.
"I think everyone is aware of the opportunities but it's just a matter of making sure we concentrate on everything put in front of us."
Longmire said Callum Mills, who was a late withdrawal with achilles soreness, would hopefully be right for next week after COVID-19 isolation hampered his recovery.
