Swans midfielder Craig Bird led the charge, collecting a career-high 33 possessions, as well as laying five tackles.
Speaking after the match, Bird said the team’s strong start to the match, which saw the Swans keep the Blues to just one goal at half-time, set up the victory.
“It was tough conditions out there and all the boys really cracked in all night and it was good to get the win,” Bird told SwansTV.
“It’s really important to jump out and to get a really good start in every game and especially in the conditions tonight.
“Last week (Port Adelaide) came at us and we weren’t able to fight back and tonight was really a credit to the boys because we fought back really well and everyone kept cracking in that last quarter and really worked hard and we got the win.”
With a number of key players out with injury, Bird said he relished his opportunity to play through the midfield in Friday night’s match.
The Swans’ number 14, who played most of last season off half-forward, said he enjoyed the freedom of playing up the ground this week.
“I started the year as that defensive forward and we’ve got a few players out like Jetts and Goodesy so I’ve had to come up a bit more through the midfield and I’m really enjoying it,” Bird said.
“I knew it was my highest (possessions) and I saw it up on the scoreboard at the end of the game.
“I was just happy to get my hands on the ball and contribute as much as I could.”
Mitch Morton added his name to the Swans’ growing injury list after pulling up with a tight quad in the warm-up before the game.
With nine premiership player out of the side, the Swans were forced to play five first-year players including Tom Mitchell, Dane Rampe, Jed Lamb, Brandon Jack, as well as Xavier Richards, who made his AFL debut as a late inclusion.
Speaking after the match, Lamb said he was thrilled to have played his first full game for the Swans.
“I was just over the moon before the game to not be given the green jacket, so I was really excited to be playing a full game,” Lamb told SwansTV.
“Towards the end I started cramping a bit, but I really enjoyed it.”
The younger of the Jack brothers, who was set to be the Swans’ subs for the match, said he found out at the last minute that he too would be playing his first full match after making his debut just three weeks’ ago.
“I found out ten minutes before that I’d be playing my first full game,” Brandon told SwansTV.
“I just kind of tried to run out the game which was a new fitness level for me, but it was great fun out there.
“It was great because I could get on there and try and have an impact straight away as opposed to coming in and not really having a feel for the game.”
