SYDNEY SWANS co-captain Kieren Jack says there is much riding on the outcome of Friday night’s match against Hawthorn despite some believing it could be a dead-rubber.

A win for Hawthorn would mean the two sides face-off in the first Qualifying Final next weekend – the Swans and Hawks would have played the last two matches against each other.

With that scenario a very real possibility, media commentators have speculated whether both Hawthorn and Sydney will play to their full capacity on Friday night at ANZ Stadium, or, if they’ll hold back some key tactics they believe will prove critical in the opening week of September.

Jack squashed the possibility of Sydney not playing to its full potential on Friday night, labelling it an important game for his team to rebound from a disappointing loss to Geelong last weekend.

He says there are a number of areas in which the Swans were exposed against the Cats and will need to get right before finals.

“It’s a really important game for us,” Jack told the media in Sydney on Wednesday.

“We need to get some things right in our game plan and we need to get some form on the board, so contrary to what some people are saying that it might not mean much this week, it certainly means a lot to us.

“We’re out there looking to get some form up before the finals.”

The Swans pride themselves on their ability to work both ways, both offensively and defensively and is why they’re widely regarded as one of the best teams in the competition.

But against the Cats last weekend, Sydney was well beaten in uncontested possessions (198-283) and tackles (65-95) – two key stats when analysing how hard a team is working on both ends.

Jack says being outplayed in both areas was a wake-up call.

“I think we’re still ticking off some areas, but there are certainly some glaring things that need addressing,” he said.

“Geelong absolutely smacked us in uncontested footy on the weekend and beat us in tackles which is a sign of our hardness and spread two ways, which is something we pride ourselves on, so we need to get that right.

“This week, on Friday night, it’s a big chance for us to get back onto it.”