Although Port Adelaide sit two games clear atop the AFL ladder, Sydney are the benchmark of the competition, according to Power defender Alipate Carlile.
The Swans are the competition's in-form side, having recorded seven wins on the trot since they last tasted defeat in early April, including the 110-point mauling of fellow premiership contenders Geelong.
"What they did to Geelong a couple of weeks ago and how they've been playing over the last six or seven weeks has been unbelievable," Carlile said on Wednesday.
"Their numbers are really starting to stack up for them across the season - they are probably the benchmark at the moment.
"Obviously other teams are up there as well, but we look at and try and follow what they do and improve it.
"Their midfield is really strong with (Dan) Hannebery, Josh Kennedy and guys like that running through there, and all their younger guys are playing really good.
"There's been a lot made of their key forwards as well, whether one or two of them are in the team or not, it doesn't really matter.
"Whoever they bring in just plays a role and really get a job done."
Sydney's forward line, which has been a powerful force behind the Swans' red-hot streak this season, was hit with a blow this week ahead of the blockbuster clash against the Power on Saturday with Kurt Tippett to undergo knee surgery and miss two weeks.
Tippett's absence doesn't make Saturday's visit to the SCG any more accommodating says Carlile, who is likely to lock horns with Lance Franklin and have his hands also full with a forward 50 that still has Adam Goodes and Sam Reid camped inside it.
"Whether I've got (Franklin) or whether Jack Hombsch gets a crack at him or Jacko (Jackson Trengove) it doesn't really matter, we think our team defence is what we really rely on down back," he said.
"The back six are really looking forward to this challenge."
Port Adelaide should be boosted against Sydney with the return of captain Travis Boak, who missed last week's resounding 70-point triumph over St Kilda with an ankle injury.
Boak, Jared Polec (ankle) and Aaron Young (AC joint) are expected to train this week.
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