Sydney are desperate to improve on an unimpressive AFL home record this season at the SCG.
While a 4-2 record is substantially better than the 0-6 mark at the same time last year, the Swans have dropped two out of three at the SCG.
They have a 3-0 record on the road this year, with wins against West Coast, the Western Bulldogs and Geelong.
It's been a different story at the SCG, where a win against Greater Western Sydney had been sandwiched between losses to both Adelaide clubs.
Sydney coach John Longmire recognised the importance of the Swans winning at home on Saturday against North Melbourne, but wasn't about to join other high-profile coaches in labelling their home ground a fortress.
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"It's important (to win this weekend). I'm not one to stand here and say 'we need to make this ground this and that'," Longmire said.
"The reality is we have played one good game here against GWS.
"We need to play well on our home ground, but you can talk about it till you're blue in the face.
"But we actually have to go out and do it this week and really play a hard, strong brand of footy for four quarters."
Longmire said Sydney fielded one of their youngest forward lines last week against Geelong and would likely have to go with a similar line-up on Saturday.
"If it goes the same way this week, we'll probably play against experienced defenders, All Australian-type defenders and the reality is we've just got to try and get the job done," Longmire said.
Longmire has hailed the resilience of utility Gary Rohan, who brings up his 100th game in his ninth season of senior football.
Rohan suffered a series of injury setbacks early in his career, including a broken leg.
"He's had some big challenges to overcome, but he's actually showed a remarkable level of resilience to be able to do that," Longmire said.
"(It's) a great reward to be able to get to, finally, 100 games."
Forward Lance Franklin (heel) and midfielder Dan Hannebery (groin) will miss a second-straight game, with Longmire saying neither is a certainty to play next week against Hawthorn.
