The Swans have been steady rather than spectacular in the first five rounds and sit sixth on the ladder, level on 12 points with Leeton-Whitton (3rd), Wagga Tigers (4th) and Collingullie (6th).

Opponents the Lions are a win behind in seventh, but Mathews isn’t reading much into their early season form.

“I think they’re in the same boat as us,” Mathews said. 

“They’ve recruited well, and I think they’ll be a top-three side once they sort themselves out.

“It’ll be a tough game out there. They’re well-drilled and have been successful for a long time, so they know how to win.

“In saying that, if we’re fair dinkum about playing finals, we’ve got to win games like that.”

With new players like Tom Groves, Chris Cerato, Ben King, Sam Daniel and Will Griggs arriving at the Swans over summer, Mathews said Griffith’s combinations were still sorting themselves out.

“We had a fair few new faces come to the club, but we’ve had four games under our belts together now,” he said.

“I’d like to think now we’ll start to play a little bit more as a team.

“We understand how the new guys play a little bit more and they understand us a bit better. 

“It was always going to take time, but we’ve got eight or nine in a row now, so it’s a pretty important block for us.”

In a boost for the Swans, Groves, James Toscan and Jonathan Gastin will backup from Riverina League’s representative win over Tallangatta in Wagga last Saturday. 

“It was a great effort for them to get in the representative side and from all reports they all played well,” Mathews said. 

“It’s good for them to play with the better players in the league, and you hope they come back to the club having learned something.”