‘‘We have just got to get back to basics.

‘‘Our defensive game has really improved over the last five weeks, but our offensive game needs to get up to the same level.’’

Stewart said poor skills and execution were to blame for the result, which saw the Eagles come back from a scoreless opening term to almost draw within one goal late in the game.

‘‘Our inability to hit a target ... cost us four points,’’ he said.

‘‘They would’ve kicked four goals from our direct turnovers.

‘‘But our effort and intensity was really good and it has continued over the last month.

‘‘We were still in the contest late in the game and the pleasing thing was we hung in there.

‘‘We chipped away, we just needed the luck and the polish but we didn’t get it, so we move on.

‘‘They are all the cliches, but it is a long road and it is not going to happen overnight.’’

The Swans used their small and fast runners well in the opening term of the match with goals to Daniel Campbell, Daniel Lovick and Brodie A’Vard as the visitors led 22-0 at the first break.

Echuca had many entries inside their forward 50m but was unable to get it close to a score.

The Swans also kicked the first three goals of the second quarter and led by close to 40 points before Lachie Stewart finally kicked his team’s first major in the 20th minute.

The home side finished the term well with goals to Rhys Archard and Jordan Florance after the siren, leaving the home side trailing 21-48.

In a low-scoring third quarter, goals to Sean Morris and Dylan Friedberger cut the margin back a bit before Chris Egan provided the highlight with a snap from an acute angle on his wrong foot, with the Swans still leading by 25 points at the last break.

The visitors kicked the first goal of the term, but some inspired work by Stewart, followed by further goals to Jordan Williams and Archard saw Echuca back into the game, but a long bouncing snap from Egan put the result beyond doubt.

Young defender Tom Monahan was the team’s best player for the day on the last line of defence, with outstanding defensive pressure and run.

Simon Buckley continued his run of good form with nearly 30 possessions, while Archard tried hard to set up play with a similar number of touches.

Tom Stevens backed up from last week’s game with another encouraging run, while Josh Edgar battled hard in the ruck all day and Matt Pollock had an excellent first half.

Youngster Ash Carmody has also grown in confidence and contributes to the side.

Stewart said there were no fresh injuries, though Earl Handy replaced Sam Toulmin in the starting line-up.

He hoped to have Nick Jackson and Brendan Prendergast back for next week.