Star forward Isaac Heeney hopes Sydney's slice of luck last week will prove a breakthrough moment as the Swans attempt to make a mid-season charge up the AFL table.
North Melbourne's interchange blooper in the final minute of last week's cliffhanger gifted Sydney the winning goal in a three-point triumph.
The result snapped a four-match losing streak for the Swans, who improved their season record to 4-6 ahead of Friday night's clash with Carlton at the SCG.
Sydney reached the grand final last year, and a win over the Blues is a must if they want to stay within striking distance of the top eight.
Although Sydney are missing a host of key players, Heeney is confident they have what it takes to cause some damage at the business end of the year.
"Hopefully it (the win over North) is a nice little breakthrough, even though on the weekend there was a bit of luck involved," Heeney said.
"But a win is a win, and hopefully we march forward.
"It's not the best start to the season, but we've definitely got confidence we've got the personnel, the team, and the game plan that we can go pretty deep."
Carlton are equally desperate after losing five of their past six games to slump to 11th on the ladder; just half a win above Sydney.
Blues president Luke Sayers publicly backed under-fire coach Michael Voss this week, saying the 47-year-old will keep his job even if Carlton miss the finals.
Voss is demanding a better defensive effort from his players after Carlton were torn apart in the first half of last week's 28-point loss to Collingwood.
"It's an 18-man system and for us to be a totally connected football team, we need to join in on all phases of the game," Voss said.
Carlton spearheads Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay loom as big threats against the Swans' injury-hit defence.
At the other end, Sydney forward Lance Franklin will be aiming to back up last week's three-goal heroics against North Melbourne..
That display came just a week after he was held goalless and limited to just four disposals in a home loss to Fremantle.
"He is in my opinion the best player to play the game. I love playing with him," Heeney said.
"He had a massive influence on the weekend. He gets the best defender every week."
Carlton recalled Brodie Kemp and Tom De Koning at the expense of Lewis Young, Ed Curnow and Jack Silvagni.
Sydney welcomed back Tom Hickey, Lewis Melican and Sam Wicks in place of injured ruckman Peter Ladhams (ankle) and axed duo Will Gould and Dylan Stephens.
