Sydney veteran Jarrad McVeigh has praised the “heart and desire” behind the Swans’ late-season charge toward the finals.

The Swans fell to a nine-point loss to Hawthorn in the last round of the regular season at the SCG on Saturday night, but they will take part in a ninth-straight finals campaign in a fortnight’s time.

Sydney lost to Essendon in Round 19 to fall to a fourth loss in five games and slip from the top eight for the first time since the completion of Round 5, but consecutive wins over Collingwood, Melbourne and GWS would revive its season in convincing fashion.

McVeigh says the Swans are storming toward the finals off the back of the stunning reversal of form.

“It gives us a lot of confidence,” McVeigh told SwansTV after the loss to the Hawks.

“We were probably down and out there for a little bit but you can’t question the guys behind me – their heart and desire to want to be the best and to play good footy.

“I love running out with them and that’s what they show every single week. They showed it tonight. We didn’t get it at the end but we know we can match it.”

The Swans pushed the Hawks until the final siren despite the late withdrawals of star forward Lance Franklin and gun midfielder Luke Parker, who were both nursing groin complaints.

A number of young Swans stood stall as a bruised heel kept Franklin on the sideline for three games early in the season, with Sydney overcoming Geelong and Hawthorn in the Western Australian’s absence – and they again filled big boots on Saturday night.

Tagger George Hewett kept prolific Hawk Tom Mitchell to nine first-half disposals and 24 for the night, while Jake Lloyd collected a game-high 31 touches in a superb display at half-back. 

Midfielder Isaac Heeney gathered 18 possessions, two goals and took another spectacular grab, while lively forward Tom Papley finished with 16 touches and a pair of majors of his own. 

But McVeigh saved his praise for a trio of other star youngsters.

“Our young forward line, with Tommy McCartin, Will Hayward, Benny Ronke, fought really well down there,” McVeigh said.

“Those guys had a really good performance and that’ll lead them into a good final period as well.” 

A bye for all eight finals-bound teams will prelude September’s action, before Sydney plays an elimination final at the SCG.

McVeigh said the bye would give the Swans an opportunity to regroup after the loss to the Hawks.

“We’ll adjust and have a look at what we did wrong,” McVeigh said.

“Finals are tight games as well so we’ve got to get those little things right at the back end of games because you could find yourself out.

“Fortunately now we get another chance.”