BELIEF is the buzzword around the Sydney Swans’ inner sanctum as the club heads into the second week of the finals, according to defender Ted Richards.

The playing group certainly had it in spades at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night, as they blew North Melbourne away in the second half to earn a semi-final berth against the Western Bulldogs.

Facing a 10-point deficit and struggling for momentum, the Swans piled on eight goals in the third quarter to set up their 35-point win.

While veteran leaders Brett Kirk, Barry Hall and Leo Barry were prominent, Richards said the resolve came from the entire group.

“We came in at half time and we had a few players that were playing really well, but the majority of us were only just going, so we knew we could have a fair lift,” he said.

“‘Roosy’ said there were only five or six [guys] that playing to their potential and the rate we were going, we weren’t going to be able to beat them. Everyone needed to put their hand up.”

Another avalanche of goals followed early in the last term and Richards – who managed just three majors this year – got among the action, slotting a long goal on the run and celebrating accordingly.

“I probably went a bit over the top, but playing in the backline, I don’t get to kick goals that often,” he said.

“My eyes lit up and I got pretty excited when it went through. As I said to the other guys, I don’t get the opportunity that much, so I’ve got to enjoy it when I get one.”

While the Bulldogs have accounted for the Swans in both their meetings this year, Richards said the team was “a real chance” of reaching a preliminary final.

“A lot of people thought we weren’t going to make the finals, or we weren’t going to be much of a threat, but we had a good belief,” he said.

“We’re going to give it a real shake and we’re really looking forward to next week.”

Richards also gave short shrift to the perception that the Swans’ veterans were beyond challenging the league’s top teams.

“People keep saying that; we don’t believe that and we’re just ignoring it,” he said.

“I’d probably say it was the older players who played the best tonight, so I guess they probably showed them a bit, too.”