The Swans' home form has been a cornerstone of their sustained success over the past decade but the venue has brought them little joy over the past year.

John Longmire's perennial finalists have lost six of their past seven outings at the SCG, including two games this year and a humbling 49-point defeat to the Giants in last year's elimination final.

"It's been really average the last 18 months," co-captain Dane Rampe said of Sydney's home form.

"In the past, teams have come up to Sydney knowing they're up for a really fierce battle ... I don't think they can say that any more.

"Our season on the line ... we've got to win, regardless of where it is and get some momentum going.

"We're confident, we've just got to go out there and act on it now. Talk is cheap."

GWS vice-captain Stephen Coniglio suggested his team will take a lot of confidence out of their most recent clash with the Swans.

"Winning a final is great but winning against your main rival at their home ground was even better," Coniglio said.

"It's going to be a good occasion. Their backs are against the wall and we're coming off an embarrassing loss and looking to make amends."

The Swans sit 16th on the ladder after a 1-4 start to the season.

Sydney made a record-breaking charge to September after a similarly sluggish start to the 2017 season, becoming the first team in VFL/AFL history to reach the finals from 0-6.

"We're still very optimistic. We've seen in the past we can wrestle our way back and that ... backs against the wall, we can play some of our best footy," Rampe said.

"We take inspiration from that.

"But while we have been in similar positions before, you don't want to leave too much room for error.

"It's getting to that stage now but in saying that I haven't lost confidence in the ability of the boys or our potential as a group."

Rampe argued it would be wrong to suggest the club's current woes are a product of their most inexperienced players' lack of composure.

"It's been some of our senior players as well," the key defender said.

"It's one of those things that can become infectious.

"Now it's on the team to do something about it."

Australian Associated Press