Ahead of Sydney's Round 12 clash with Adelaide on Saturday, Swans defender Matt Roberts spoke to the media.

The 21-year-old answered questions about the side's loss to Melbourne, captain Callum Mills' suspension, returning players and the upcoming game against the Crows. 

On the review of the Melbourne game

"Obviously it's a disappointing result, and we've just been pretty inconsistent with a few areas of our game. It was more just around our contests, and just being harder around the ball. Melbourne's practised around the ball and with their work, so it was just a few things like that we touched on."

On how the team can become more consistent

"It's obviously something that we've been trying to put our finger on for a while now, but yeah, it's just sort of our preparation and throughout the week what we can do to get ourselves in the right mental and physical spot to put ourselves in a good foot forward on the weekend, so we're looking forward to doing that this weekend."

On whether the team feels that every game from now on is a defining one

"We go out there every week and try to win as many games as we can, no matter what state of the season we're in, wins and losses. So I think, it's not going to change how we go about our footy, we're just going to go out there and try to put our best foot forward and try to get the results on the board."

On Callum Mills missing this week's game through suspension

"It's obviously disappointing that he's not going to be out there with us this week, which is disappointing, but the work he does off the field during the week with our boys is pretty crucial, that's why he's our captain. It's not always just on the field, but he's pretty good off the field as well."

On the Adelaide Crows

"They're having a terrific year, they've got a pretty strong front six and I think they're the number one scoring team in the comp at the moment, so we're going to have to be on as a team for our defence.  If we can do that, we'll go a long way to win the game."

On Sam Wick's hamstring injury

"He's had a terrific season, it's obviously disappointing for him and for us. He's been a pretty important part of our back six for the whole year. I'm not too sure on what his results are at the moment, but yeah, obviously, we'll be disappointed if he misses."

On Lewis Melican returning from suspension 

"He's extremely important for our back six and our team defence as a whole. He brings really strong leadership and really sets the ground up for us, and then creates a really strong contest in the air on his direct opponent. So, yeah, we're looking forward to having him back this week. He's a pretty important part of our team, I think he's had a pretty strong training the last couple of weeks and he's fit and ready to get back out there."

On Dean Cox

"He's been really good throughout the whole season, he's just trying to find different ways to help educate the younger boys, the older boys, pretty much everyone here, and just trying to find different ways to help them learn week to week and be able to get us back in consistent, good form like we were hoping to do."

On the pressure on players to perform to keep their spot in the team

"I think that's part of being in a good club is you've always got to fight for your position and you've got to be in good form to be picked in the 22. It's not something that some players have had to deal with much, but it's been good, and hopefully we can get some players back and put more pressure on, and that'll help us move forward."

On the 2005 Premiership Reunion game

"It's obviously an important part of just honouring the boys that have played before us and winning that flag, so yeah, it'll be good to see them around and hopefully we can do them justice this weekend."

On Justin McInerney returning from suspension

"He gives us a lot of energy, he's a real energy giver and his run and drive through the middle part of the ground is really important for us. He's a real good connector from the back half to the front half so we're looking forward to having him back this week."

On Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner

"They're absolutely terrific for us, and we want to help them out as much as we can, as the rest of us want to just be better and help them out as much as they can. They've been going forward a bit more now, but, yeah, we just want to help them out as much as we can and be more consistent as a team."

On creating energy in the absence of players like Tom Papley

"I think we have found a few, like Caden (Cleary), Corey (Warner), they've come in and been real sparks for us up forward and on the wing. But, it's important that we can create energy not just through a couple of players, it's about creating our own energy through a bit of one-percenter acts and getting around each other like that."