The 2005 season marked 72 years since the Club’s last premiership. After overcoming a slow start to the season, the Sydney Swans stormed home to win 16 of their last 19 games and book a place in the finals.

After losing the Qualifying Final to West Coast in controversial circumstances at Subiaco, the Swans escaped narrowly in the Semi Final beating Geelong with only seconds remaining on the clock at the SCG. Local Sydney boy Nick Davis kicked four last quarter goals to give the Swans victory and a set up a meeting with premiership favourites St Kilda in the Preliminary Final at the MCG.

In the preliminary final the Swans again produced another stirring final quarter, kicking seven goals to overwhelm the Saints and run out 31-point winners.

A week later, in what many regard as one of the greatest grand finals of recent times, the Swans prevailed in nail-biting circumstances to exact revenge over West Coast by four-points and claim the 2005 AFL Premiership. The final score was 8.10 (58) to 7.12 (54). “Here it is!” coach Paul Roos exclaimed to the packed MCG as he hoisted the premiership cup.

The Club trophy cabinet was bolstered further after the Sydney Swans won the ‘National Team of the Year’ and Paul Roos voted ‘Coach of the Year’ at the Confederation of Australian Sport 2005 Awards. The Sydney Swans were also joint winners of the state ‘Team of the Year’ at the NSW Sports Awards.

Paul Roos lifts the premiership cup aloft following the 2005 premiership win.