The cavalry isn't far away from helping out winless Sydney, but their many youngsters have been backed to perform in the AFL's version of the wild west.
Starting 0-3 for the first time since 1999, Sydney face West Coast at Domain Stadium next Thursday on a six-day turnaround.
A number of injured stars look likely to be available over the next couple of weeks, though Sydney coach John Longmire is wary of reintroducing too many on the vast West Australian ground.
Ruckman Kurt Tippett's ankle injury, suffered last week, may heal in time for him to be considered, while several other longer-term casualties are on the verge of making a return.
"There's probably Gary Rohan and Tom Papley (to) come off the long-term injury list for next week and it's just a matter of whether they've done enough training," Longmire said.
"They trained this week, is that enough for them to play?
"Isaac (Heeney), we expect to train next week and (Jarrad) McVeigh won't be far away from that either.
"It's just they may not have done enough for next Thursday night and particularly if you play one or two or three of them over in Perth on a big deck, we've got to be mindful of that as well."
Friday's side included five first-season players and another four with 15 or fewer games.
Seven of those nine have yet to play a senior game in Perth.
"They will be right, they will learn," Longmire said.
"There's been an number of them been pretty good over the last couple of weeks and a couple were good again tonight.
"They will keep on learning and keep getting better."
Longmire said the aim was always to be as competitive as possible for the first month while the Swans are missing so many players.
"It's a really tough one, with things you can't control, whether it's compartment syndrome (Papley) or glandular fever (Heeney), or a bloke tripping over a fence (Dane Rampe)," Longmire said.
One positive for Longmire out of Friday's loss was the improved form of some of his more established stars.
All Australians Dan Hannebery, Luke Parker and Josh Kennedy all lifted, with Hannebery having a terrific battle with Adam Treloar.
"I thought he played pretty well, it was as strong as he's played for quite a while, Hanners," Longmire said.
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