Sydney Swans are Premiership contenders | Thebigtip

Six weeks ago the Sydney Swans experienced arguably their toughest period under coach Paul Roos, losing consecutive matches to the Melbourne Demons and Geelong Cats by mammoth margins.

A 73 point loss to the Demons at the MCG was quickly followed by a 53 point hammering by Geelong at ANZ stadium, which cast Roos’ men into a massive hole few gave them a chance of getting out of.

It appeared that a finals swansong for departing heroes Brett Kirk and Paul Roos was never going to eventuate, given the Swans had to win at least three of their remaining four matches to seal a spot in September.

Indeed Sydney have built a reputation as a side heavily reliant on their capacity to fight until the final siren, and ever since that horror fortnight of football, the Swans have once again shown us why the spirit at the club is one of the most lucrative throughout the AFL.

Make no mistake, the Swans looked dead and buried six weeks ago. Now, Sydney find themselves hosting a home final against the Carlton Blues this Sunday.

A four match winning streak which included thumping victories over finals teams the Hawthorn Hawks and Western Bulldogs has seen Sydney finish fifth on the ladder.

To finish just outside the top four is a remarkable achievement by the Swans, given the host of injuries they have had to contend with throughout the season.

Senior players Craig Bolton, Mark Seaby, Daniel Bradshaw and Lewis Roberts-Thompson have missed most of this season with injuries.

Even against the Brisbane Lions last Saturday, the Swans were without key players Tadhg Kennelly and Daniel Hannebery, but still managed a comfortable 38 point win against Brisbane at the Gabba.

With a home final against Carlton coming up, the Swans have a good opportunity to set course for the semi-finals, where a possible meeting against Western Bulldogs may eventuate.

Given that the Bulldogs are now without star player Adam Cooney, Paul Roos’ men will fancy their chances against arguably the weakest team inside the top four at the moment.

Indeed Sydney beat the Bulldogs by 44 points in round 21, and while a closer game should be expected, the Swans have shown they have the skill and intensity required to match it with the top sides.

Young Swans stars such as Kieren Jack, Trent Dennis-Lane and Lewis Jetta are all hitting form at just the right time of the season, and will pose considerable threats to whoever they play against.

Add the ever reliable services of senior players Brett Kirk, Ryan O’Keefe, Tadhg Kennelly, Nick Malceski, Rhyce Shaw and Jarred McVeigh and the Swans have the right blend of youth and experience that should see them challenge for a preliminary final birth.

In terms of making a Grand final, the Swans will definitely need key talisman Adam Goodes to fire. He continues to be the X factor in Sydney but is yet to really impose his class against the top tier sides in the AFL.

If Goodes can somehow muster his Brownlow Medal winning form during the finals, the Swans will be every chance of challenging for football’s Holy Grail.