North Melbourne skipper Andrew Swallow has labelled Robbie Tarrant as one of the best defenders in the AFL.

Speaking to media at Melbourne Airport on Thursday, Swallow was highly complimentary of the role Tarrant has played so far in 2016.

“Robbie Tarrant’s been in outstanding form,” Swallow said.

“He’s probably been one of the top key defenders in the comp, if not the best key defender going around at the moment.”

Tarrant will need to maintain his high level on Friday night at the SCG. With an in-form Lance Franklin waiting for the Roos, it could take a team effort to quell his influence.

“He’ll (Tarrant) get a crack at some stage, Scotty Thompson will get a crack, even Michael Firrito,” Swallow explained.

“The way Buddy plays, he’s up the ground, (then) he’s deep so you need to play him in a variety of ways.”

Swallow will be another to have his hands full, coming up against an experienced Sydney midfield which has been dominating the contested ball this season.

But that’s not the only string to the Swans’ bow.

“They’re really contested ball winners who can also spread pretty well on the outside.

“They’ve got a great mix and really well drilled.

“They look like they’re in outstanding form and they’ve got an outstanding midfield”

With 75 tackles in nine matches, Swallow is way out in front of all other players on the tackling leaderboard.

Unsurprisingly he says there’s a big emphasis on the skill at Arden St.

“You need to be able to tackle well to get the footy back when you’re not winning it.

“It’s nice to be leading that but as long as the whole group’s tackling well and the efficiency is high that’s all that really matters.”