With the Swans riding a high after beating Darley for the first time in seven years last weekend, it's a better time than any for Joe Carmody's men to make the trip back victorious.

The Lions are languishing near the bottom of the ladder, winless since round one.

While the hosts may be struggling, Carmody was well aware you can never write off a proud side.

"The boys are really looking forward to having a crack at it and giving ourselves an opportunity to make history for the club," he told The Courier.

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"But, also it will really get us into the season as well, because it's so even.

"Sunbury is always a competitive side so it's going to be a tough ask but if you're aiming to play finals you've got to win those tough games."

The Swans' last trip to Sunbury was a 44-point defeat in round nine, 2019.

The closest Ballarat has come Clarke Oval n the past 10 seasons was a five-goal defeat back in round eight, 2011.

"(Sunbury) has always been a really good side and hard to beat anywhere, really," Carmody said.

"(Clarke Oval) is such a big ground and they play it well. They use the corridor really well and can defend the ground well.

"So, if we can get our running game going there on a big ground that will certainly help us be more competitive than what we have been down there."

Clarke Oval is one of the true fortresses in the league.

Sunbury has won 80 per cent of its game there in the past 10 seasons, with last weekend's 46-point loss to North Ballarat only the second time the Lions have been defeated at home in three seasons.

This time round, the Swans make the trip down the high rejuvenated.

Carmody's young charges are firing in the absence of injured elder statesmen.

Jake Drever kicked three majors in just his third senior game at the weekend, and 22-year-old Bailey Van de Heuvel has been force down back.

However, Van de Heuvel's hot run of form has come at a cost for the Swans; the backman called up to the Footscray Bulldogs VFL side in recent weeks.

The Dogs had the bye at the weekend, allowing Van de Heuvel to step out against Darley, but Carmody wasn't sure yet whether he'll have the young gun at his disposal for a second week running.

"Look if he plays VFL that's great for the club but yeah he's handy for us too," Carmody joked.

"It's all dependent on who the Bulldogs get back in."

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