And on Saturday, after his team's 25-point win over St Kilda in its second elimination final at Etihad Stadium, Swans coach John Longmire praised his side's "resilience" in helping it win another tough and hard game.
The Swans had seen off a third-quarter challenge by the Saints to, in the end, progress to the semi-finals comfortably. He was a proud coach.
"I thought we took our chances, particularly in the second quarter, and maybe even a bit in the first quarter. We weren't great at the start of the game, and in the second quarter we started to get better at our contested footy," Longmire said.
"But probably the real key was showing some resilience when they came back at us in the third term. They kicked four goals to one, and they're a quality team that has been in the last two Grand Finals.
"The ability to be able to stop that and then give a little bit more back was good."
The win marked a terrific turnaround in form for the club. In round 21 at the MCG, the Swans' finals hopes looked finished when they were defeated by 43 points. They have now won their past four games, with Longmire suggesting the Swans might be in the best form of their season.
"The last month has been pretty good against real quality opposition and that's what we've been really pleased with - the teams we have played against have been quality teams," Longmire said.
"We haven't got it all on our terms, we've had to make sure we set ourselves and play really hard trademark footy so that was pleasing."
Typifying the Swans' effort, Longmire said Dan Hannebery had wanted to return to the field after dislocating his shoulder late in the third term, but was disallowed by the club's medical team.
Longmire said he could be available next week against Hawthorn.
"He's always a kid who is pretty keen to come back and play, that's why he has been such a good player for us," Longmire said.
"He played with it last year on his other shoulder, and I spoke to the doctors briefly and they said that this is his good shoulder, so he is still a chance for next week."
Longmire also said exciting 20-year-old Gary Rohan should be fine to face the Hawks on Friday night at the MCG despite suffering cramp and concerns over the knee injury which kept him out for the majority of the season.
Follow Callum Twomey on Twitter at @Cal_Twomey
