The 33-year-old is no certainty of returning for this weekend's match despite training with the team on Tuesday and playing with their reserves in the NEAFL in his comeback from a concussion. While Richards is available after last week's bye, Longmire says there is a chance he will be given another week with the reserves to regain full fitness having missed four weeks with the senior team.

"Teddy Richards played last week so we will see how those sessions go this week before we make the decisions," Longmire said. "We would like to be in a position where we sit down and work out which way we go with that."

The Swans depth will be tested in the coming weeks with Sam Reid still three weeks away from returning from injury and Kurt Tippett in the early stages of his comeback from a hamstring operation. Tippett's operation went well with the forward continuing his rehabilitation on the exercise bike and despite the absences, Longmire is content with the depth available.

"We were confident coming into this season despite some doubts from outside of the footy club. We were confident in our depth coming into the season and it's been really pleasing so far that we have had some players come in and play some really good solid footy for us up until this point," he said.

Despite the forced changes and absences due to injuries, Longmire says much of his final selection for the crucial clash with the Bulldogs will be decided on countering their style of play. Having highlighted the strength of their midfield, Longmire says the team that runs out on the SCG will likely be one that can nullify specific threats of the Bulldogs.

"We look at the opposition every week and this week is no different. They're an exciting team. Their contested ball numbers are absolutely through the roof, they are almost double everyone else at this point of the season," Longmire said. "That will certainly come under consideration as far as what team we pick."

The Swans will have the chance to return to the top of the table with a win over the seventh-placed Bulldogs, given league leaders Hawthorn have the bye. But that is far from the mind of Longmire, who is cautious of the Bulldogs' ability to shut down opponents.

"They swarm the contest in huge numbers and they rely upon winning the contest in an outnumber situation as much as their hardness. The combination of the two means they're so good at the ground ball," he said. "They're one of the most exciting teams in the competition and they're having a fantastic year, they're hard to score against and I'm sure we'll be in with a real battle."