Despite falling to UWS Giants in three separate occasions in 2015, backman Nic Newman believes the NEAFL ladder leaders can be knocked off the perch.

As the Swans take a breather this weekend, plans are already in place for the remaining three rounds of the home and away season which include clashes against Gold Coast Suns, UWS Giants and reigning premier Aspley.

Newman, who has been among the Swans’ better players in the past two weeks, said the bye allows the group to refresh and recharge ahead of the upcoming finals series.

Part of that preparation is testing themselves against arguably the best in the competition in the Giants before September hits.

“We were obviously really disappointed with our last performance against them, Newman said of the 183-point loss at Blacktown International Sportspark.

“So, as a group we’ll be pushing to try and get one back on them. They’re our cross-town rivals so we’ll be definitely going out there to win and we definitely believe we can.”

The Swans sit fourth on the ladder with 10 wins and five losses, three of those coming at the hands of the Giants.

Newman will take some confidence into the upcoming fixture knowing they can match the premiership favourites given the Swans lost by only seven points back in Round 5 at Spotless Stadium.

And, albeit some wayward kicking at the SCG on Saturday, the big win against Brisbane won’t do the playing group’s confidence any harm either.

“It will be a tough run, but all the boys are up for it,” Newman added. “We’re trying to get some good form going into finals so hopefully we can grab three wins and take some good form going in.”

Newman endured a slow start to the season, having to wait until Round 4 for his NEAFL debut after injuring his knee shortly before his selection in the 2015 Rookie Draft.

The 22-year-old has strung 12 solid games together across half-back, putting that penetrating left foot to good use in the last few games especially averaging 29 disposals.