NOTHING can erase the Sydney Swans' disappointing 2014 Grand Final performance, but coach John Longmire was thrilled his side found a way to get over the line by four points in a classic rematch at the MCG on Saturday night.
The Swans burst out of the blocks in a scintillating first term, with their physicality at the contest and slick ball movement slicing apart the Hawks in a five-goal to none opening.
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Inevitably the back-to-back premiers lifted, and when they hit the front by 12 points in front of their home crowd in the final term, the Swans looked all-but shot.
However, two late goals from co-captain Jarrad McVeigh and one from star midfielder Luke Parker retrieved a win from the jaws of defeat and some slight redemption in a low-scoring 11.7 (73) to 9.15 (69) classic.
"We're really pleased to be able to win. It's important because I know it's Hawthorn, I know it was the Grand Final last year, but I've said all week it's not about last year because it's just not, we can't get that back," Longmire said post-match.
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"It's very much about 2015 and that's what today was about making sure that we gave ourselves a chance. I'm just so happy with the way we jumped out of the blocks and we were able to finish the game off."
The Swans hung on for dear life in the dying stages, with the normally precise Luke Breust missing a straight-forward 30m set shot and standout Cyril Rioli fumbling a handball running into an open goal costing the Hawks victory.
Five talking points: Hawthorn v Sydney Swans
"It doesn't happen too often, does it? In the end he (Rioli) normally takes them and runs in. He didn't that time but he's done it to us a fair bit," Longmire said.
"There was a couple of things in the last five minutes – they could easily have won it – and it just went down to the wire.
"We worked hard, we got out of the blocks well, they had their turn as all good teams do and we were able to withstand that and then kick those last three goals in that last quarter which was so important."
Longmire said McVeigh's late move forward was entirely the co-captain's call, and he lauded the versatile veteran for guiding the Swans to a 6-2 win-loss record.
"He was able to sneak forward and kick those goals which were so important. His role in our team is critical, just the way he leads the team and the way he's able to stand up in important moments," Longmire said
McVeigh (20 disposals) was one of several big names to stand up – including Dan Hannebery (36) after his below-par Grand Final, Josh Kennedy (29) and Luke Parker (26, one goal).
But Longmire was pleased that victory was secured with spearheads Kurt Tippett (two goals) and Lance Franklin - who went scoreless for the first time in almost six years – since round 19, 2009 – wielding less influence than usual.
"Kurt's contribution early in the game was really important in that first quarter to get out of the blocks. Lance didn't have a huge day as far as stats or hitting the scoreboard, but I think it's a real positive. The workload was shared today," Longmire said.
The Swans sit third on the ladder following the nail-biting triumph and will aim to cement their spot in the top four in a clash with bottom-placed Carlton on Friday night.
