SYDNEY SWANS coach Paul Roos says a potent mix of confidence and fear generated by past encounters with fierce rival West Coast will continue to spur both sides to new heights.

Another nail-biting chapter in their incredible rivalry was played out on Saturday night as Kieren Jack’s late goal sealed a five-point win for the Swans.

"We have a confidence when we play them because we’ve beaten them in a grand final but we also fear them because they’ve beaten us in a grand final. It goes both ways," Roos said.

"Both teams are very confident going into the game but also extremely wary of the opposition and it just happens to result in an unbelievably close 10 games or whatever it has been over the last six years."

Roos admitted to some frustration at the Swans’ inability to capitalise on several three-goal leads during the game, but he was full of praise for a young West Coast side that pushed them all the way.

"It’s a good effort by Woosha (John Worsfold) to be able to get those young guys up to speed in such a short space of time and to be able to come here … their effort out here was really good and our guys’ ability to get over the top of them was terrific as well," he said.

In a match studded with exceptional performances, a five-goal haul from a rejuvenated Barry Hall caught every observer’s eye.

The big spearhead chased opponents like a man possessed and his efforts created several scoring opportunities for teammates while taking his own chances.

"We talked to Hally about that during the week … that was his main focus as a Swans player and he’d probably just gone away from that a little bit and he acknowledged that," Roos said.

"We just said to him, 'We’re not worried about marks, kicks, handballs and goals – you're a better player when you tackle and chase'.

"He only had six kicks but all of a sudden he’s chasing, he’s tackling, he’s pressuring and those six kicks turn into five goals and he’s a very significant player over the course of the game."

Co-captain Adam Goodes was another star for the home side, with his 26 possessions and three goals the brand of football that has earned him two Brownlow Medals. 

A clearly pleased Roos provided some deadpan humour when asked his thoughts on Jack’s classy, game-defining snap.

"Kieren’s goal at the end was a super goal, even though Mick (O'Loughlin) said he was down there in the goal square by himself and he said he would have kicked it anyway.

"Kieren’s happy to prance around the change-rooms and claim all the glory while Mick’s a bit flat in there."

A hamstring injury to key defender Lewis Roberts-Thomson was the only sour note for the Swans.