A BITTERLY disappointed Jarrad McVeigh has called on the Sydney Swans' playing group to respond after Sunday's narrow loss to Richmond at the MCG.

The Swans appeared to have the game in their keeping when they were 33 points up late in the third quarter, but couldn't counter a late rally by the Tigers, much to McVeigh's dismay. 

"It was very, very disappointing. It was probably one of the worst losses I've ever been involved in," McVeigh said.

"It was a crucial game for us with a finals spot there and to get ahead a bit. The way we crumbled was very embarrassing.

"They grabbed the momentum late in the third quarter, but we still had the lead and we just had to fight it out. We didn't even give a yelp, so it's very disappointing.

"They were all over us in the last quarter, and we didn't even respond. We didn't push back.

"We didn't kick straight all day, and our delivery to the forwards is still a real issue. In saying that, the way we tackled and our hardness was not up to AFL standard, and that's the reason we lost in the end."

The Swans now find themselves in the eight by percentage only, and face a must-win clash against ninth-placed North Melbourne next Sunday.

McVeigh said it was the responsibility of the club's leadership group to get the Swans' season back on track after successive losses to Collingwood and the Tigers.

"Even after last week as leadership group, we had to stand up, and we haven't done that," he said.

"If we play well, then generally the team plays well, but it's just very disappointing right now.

"We want to be respected by the competition, but the performances we've put up [lately] are [far] from that, so it must start this week."

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