THE SYDNEY Swans won't rely on their ideal run to the Grand Final to give them any advantage on Saturday, with the battle to be won "after the first bounce" - not in the lead up - according to coach John Longmire.
The Swans have enjoyed an extra day's break on Hawthorn after their respective preliminary finals, they haven't travelled out of Sydney for a month and they have no injury concerns after Sam Reid recovered from knee soreness.
To underline their stability, they have selected the same 22 players for every game this September, assuming they avoid a late change on Saturday.
It has been a dream run to the decider for the 2012 premiers, but Longmire and co-captain Kieren Jack agreed it would count for nothing at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
"First bounce tomorrow all that goes out the window and it's about the team that participates in all facets of the game and puts enormous pressure on for four quarters that gets over the line," Longmire said following the Grand Final parade through Melbourne.
"We can talk about all that's happened to this point, but really it's about what happens tomorrow.
"You need to get to work when that first bounce hits."
Jack said the Swans' clean passage to the Grand Final would count for little on Saturday, dismissing any advantage gained from an eight-day break compared to the Hawks' seven.
"It's a grand final, you get yourself up no matter what," he said in a joint press conference with Hawks counterpart Luke Hodge and coach Alastair Clarkson.
"Two teams with incredible will, it's just going to be a big battle and an extra day's break is not going to make a difference."
Former Hawk Lance Franklin was the star of Friday's parade as he soaked up the festivities with his Swans teammates, riding alongside midfielder Dan Hannebery.
Longmire said the intense focus on Franklin, who enters Saturday's clash in brilliant form after booting five goals in the preliminary final, would not affect the Coleman medallist.
Luke Hodge and Kieren Jack hold the premiership cup up at the Grand Final parade. Picture: AFL Media
"It's a spotlight on him outside the club, inside the club it's very much about the day-to-day preparation for a Grand Final," the coach said.
"He's ready to go, it's another Grand Final for him. He's been able to participate in a few to this point and he's looking forward to it.
"We're trying to keep that (preparation) the same as what we do for any round of the season.
"There are some challenges as far as different things that happen through the week, but inside the footy club it's very much the same as what we normally do."
After losing to the Hawks by 10 points in the teams' last clash, at the MCG in round 18, Longmire said the Swans needed to remain wary of the Hawks' ability to soak up pressure and then counterpunch.
The Hawks came from 23 points down in the third quarter in round 18 to win by 10 points, with Clarkson claiming after that match his players would have gained a lot of confidence from the comeback.
It was a trait that got them over the line against Port Adelaide in last Saturday's preliminary final after a slow start.
"[They had] the ability to be able to hang in when the first quarter wasn't going their way last week and then hit the scoreboard enormously," Longmire said.
"We had first-hand experience of that last time we played the Hawks.
"Their ability to stay in the game and then counterpunch is one of their greatest strengths."
