Story’s not done yet for flag-chasing Swans, says coach

By Joanna Guelas 

The story’s not finished yet.

Sydney coach Dean Cox wants the AFL world to remember that.

And he wants his Swans to remember that too, urging the understrength outfit to bottle the energy from their 53-point qualifying final triumph.

The Swans will host a preliminary final at the SCG against either Fremantle or Geelong after stunning back-to-back premiers Brisbane on Saturday.

It is a significant step in their improbable premiership push, despite many critics having already ruled the second-ranked Swans out of flag contention after five player suspensions.

Key players Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and Nick Blakey are among the five serving club-imposed bans.

Even club chairman Andrew Pridham conceded the Swans’ chances had been “torpedoed” in the fallout from events at East Melbourne’s Pullman Hotel last month.

And Sydney are now bracing to continue their finals campaign – as well as a large portion of next season – without captain Callum Mills.

The defender’s right knee gave way in the first quarter on Saturday as he attempted to corral Lions ball-carrier Will Ashcroft near the boundary line.

With a fortnight to prepare for a preliminary final, Swans coach Cox – who admitted the win was partly motivated by being written off by many in the media – says his side has to harness their momentum.

“We have to. The story’s not finished yet for our season,” Cox said.

“We need to make sure that we understand what makes us play good footy.

“I still had the belief in the playing group that we were capable of putting in a performance like that.”

All cylinders of the Swans machine fired despite major absences, with Errol Gulden calling the shots in the engine room as Harry Cunningham directed the defence.

Logan McDonald may have led with six goals, but Sydney enjoyed an even contribution from their forward line, with Charlie Curnow and Tom Papley slotting five each.

Sydney’s youngsters also held their own against the vastly experienced Lions side, with Harry Kyle pulling off an inspirational run-down tackle.

Every Lions player fielded against the Swans had played at least 50 AFL matches.

Cox said the win felt like the most complete four-quarter performance in his tenure.

“Yeah, probably with the quality of opposition that we were playing and the ability of the match-winners that they have all over the ground,” Cox said.

“I was really proud when we’ve got some of the young kids that come into our football team to be able to execute the roles they had to play at the right time.

“We always had faith in some of the talent on our list and youth we had.”

Tall forward Hayden McLean’s three-goal haul is set to further complicate Cox’s selection call, with Joel Amartey (Achilles) nearing full fitness.

Star winger Justin McInerney is also expected to return from a hamstring strain.

“They should both be available … and that’ll be a decision, like we do every week,” Cox said.

“We’ll pick the best team to beat the team that we play against. That won’t change.”