Sydney midfielder Josh Kennedy believes a scalp like Collingwood is required to prove the reigning premiers belong in the AFL’s top four.

The Swans were clinging to fourth spot on Sunday morning after a draw with fifth-placed Fremantle at the SCG.

After losses to pace-setters Geelong and Hawthorn this year, Kennedy said his team need to shine against the Magpies to show they’re still a force.

“This is a big game. Obviously they beat Geelong which is huge for them. We know they’re a really good inside hard team, so we’re going to need to bring our best,” he said of Friday night’s MCG clash.

“If we’re going to be a top four side this year we need to win these big games.

“We haven’t beaten anyone in the top four yet, we need to and we think we can.”

Kennedy said there was a dull feeling at Sunday’s recovery session at Bondi after his team surrendered a 27-point final quarter lead against Fremantle.

“It’s really a nothing feeling … to give away so much momentum is disappointing,” said the 24-year-old.

However, Kennedy felt there were signs of the Swans’ best against the Dockers, especially their pressure which was underlined by a total of 90 tackles.

Combined with the lessons that would come out of Monday’s review session, Kennedy felt his side would be ready to tackle Collingwood in a rematch of last year’s preliminary final.

“Losses like this, games like this, I think you can learn a lot from those last 10 minutes,” Kennedy said, revealing a lot about Sydney’s mindset after the 70-70 draw with the Dockers.

“Hopefully we can find the areas where we need to improve, to stop such a huge momentum shift.

“(We’ll) work on it during the week and if we can combine it with the pressure that we had against the Dockers it will hold us in good stead.”

Marty Mattner was a late withdrawal from Saturday night’s game with a hip injury, but is expected be in contention for a recall against the Magpies.