Swans AFL youngsters need to stand up

Sydney are looking to their young guns to help cover the loss of a quartet of AFL premiership players boasting over 700 senior games.

Swan Nick Smith says a single loss in their three remaining games could cost them a top four spot. (AAP)

Sydney backline stalwart Nick Smith concedes it will he hard for the Swans to immediately replace four departed premiership players with over 700 games of AFL experience.

Adam Goodes, Mike Pyke and Rhyce Shaw have all retired and Lewis Jetta has returned to his home state of Western Australia after being traded to West Coast Eagles.

"It is hard to replace the experience straight away, I think what it does do is give young guys an opportunity," Smith said at the SCG on Tuesday.