The Sydney Swans are staring at their worst start to an AFL season this century.

Saturday’s loss to Collingwood following on the shock opening round defeat by GWS has put the Swans under unusually large early season pressure.

In both matches the Swans’ offence stuttered in the second half, mustering just 2.5 against GWS and 3.7 against the Pies.

It’s the first time since 2006 Sydney have lost their first two games and 1999 was the last year they started with three consecutive defeats.

Things aren’t about to get any easier for Sydney, who at Adelaide Oval next Saturday face an equally desperate Crows side, who have also started with two losses.

“We always need to win each week ,but this game round three becomes even more significant to us,” Swans defender Ted Richards said on Sunday.

“They (Adelaide) are in the same situation as us, just like Collingwood were last night, so we know we’re going to Adelaide Oval and once again there’s a lot on the line,”

Richards said he confidence in his team’s resilience and is adamant Sydney can turn things around.

“In my nine years at the Swans we’ve been challenged a lot,” Richards said.

“I’ve got full confidence that we can withstand this and stick together and overcome this.”

While coach John Longmire pointed to a lack of polish in Sydney’s ball use as the major problem on Saturday, Richards stressed the Swans had plenty of things to work on.

“I wish it was one area, but it’s across the whole team, we can all improve, starting with hard work,” Richards said.

Longmire and Richards took some solace from an improved effort from star recruit Lance Franklin.

He threw himself into the contest, accumulating 16 points, four marks and two goals

“it was probably tough for him at times with the (lack of) service in the second half,”Longmire said.

“But there was a number of times when he was outnumbered and helped keep the ball there and he’ll get better.”