'Not AFL standard': Swans great Ryan O'Keefe blasts sloppy Sydney performance

Sydney great Ryan O'Keefe has blasted his former club after its four-point defeat to Brisbane in Saturday's grand final rematch, describing the performance as "not AFL standard".

New coach Dean Cox was relatively upbeat in his post-match press conference and picked out a host of positives, but he did admit the Swans lacked cleanliness at the SCG.

The hosts lost 12.14 (86) to 12.10 (82) to fall to 0-2 early in the season, but they likely would have won by several goals if not for sloppy work with their disposals and shots at goal.

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O'Keefe, a member of Sydney's 2005 and 2012 triumphant grand final teams, sprayed his former club on ABC Radio.

"I think we've got to stop giving players excuses early in the season," he said.

"They're professionals, this is your trade, they're basic errors.

"The standard that was out there today was not good enough, and it's not AFL standard."

Sydney took a 15-point buffer into quarter-time but would have led by more if Tom McCartin and Will Hayward hadn't put simple set shots out on the full.

In the final quarter, with the Swans trailing by 10 points, Corey Warner grassed a regulation mark deep in his side's forward 50 before scooping it up and spraying it.

Later in the final term, Matt Roberts played on from a kick-in and put the ball down the throat of Brisbane's Josh Dunkley, who proceeded to slot a regulation set shot and extend the visitors' lead to 12 points.

There were also many occasions when Sydney players could have lowered their eyes but instead blazed away with no success.

On the other hand, the Swans were outstanding with their physicality at the contest, led by James Rowbottom, Isaac Heeney and Justin McInerney.

One reporter noted in Cox's post-match press conference that the conditions were slippery.

"It was hot early," Cox replied.

"Every time they touched it, everyone was sweating so much it went straight through a lot of their hands. Part of that's about fundamentals in those conditions, because at times Brisbane were really clean."

Sydney will again shoot for its first win of the season in a clash with Fremantle in Perth next Sunday.

"One thing we're still aware of is when we play our best footy we're as good as any team in the comp, and we've shown that against two of the best teams in the comp," Cox said, referring to Sydney's narrow losses to Hawthorn and Brisbane.

"For us, we've just got to make sure we do it for longer.

"We've had periods where we've let ourselves down and had little lapses through that, that give momentum to the opposition.

"I'm extremely confident where this playing group can go in the short term."

Lions small forward Zac Bailey bagged a game-high four goals.

Brisbane will continue its premiership defence in a game against the West Coast Eagles at the Gabba next Sunday.