As we celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the 2005 premiership we take a look back at five most influential contests from that golden season.

Round 13 v Collingwood

Swans 11.11.77 df Collingwood 10.16.76

The Round 13 match at ANZ Stadium drew a bumper crowd of 44,387 who witnessed a thrilling contest right down to the final minutes of the game. An Alan Didak soccer kick in the dying stages of the clash sailed wide to see the Swans hold on in a one point thriller. A Barry Hall goal to kick off the final term opened up a 22-point advantage, a lead that looked to be enough for the Swans before the Pies kicked three goals in four minutes. The win would go on to be influential in the Swans' 2005 campaign as it gave the side belief they could hold on when the margin got close late in a contest.

Amon Buchanan looks for a target up ahead as Jared Crouch provides cover from Collingwood's Shane Woewodin.

Round 17 v West Coast

Swans 13.10.88 df West Coast 9.13.67

It was the game that had many taking note that the Swans were a genuine threat for 2005 premiership. Until this point in the season West Coast had been the dominant force in the competition, having lost just one game, and were predicted by many as the red hot favourites to win the flag. The Swans held the Eagles at bay letting them score just three goals in the second half to run out 21 point victors. The front page of the Sydney Morning Herald the next day read: ‘Birds of prey – The Swans have emerged as a genuine premiership contender after they brought down the high-flying Eagles by 21 points at the SCG.’ For the first time all season the Eagles midfield was contained with the impact of Chris Judd (21 disposals) and Ben Cousins (19 disposals) kept to a minimum.

Qualifying Final v West Coast

Swans 10.5.65 df by West Coast 10.9.69

It was the game that started one of the best rivalries in recent years. On September 2, 2005, Sydney and West Coast clashed in what would be the first of six consecutive games to be decided by less than a goal. After leading by 14 points at three-quarter-time the Swans gave up the lead in the final quarter and failed to regain it. The game would set the rivalry in motion for years to come and steal the Swans to get revenge in the weeks to follow when Grand Final day ultimately arrived. Ben Cousins (29 disposals) and Chris Judd (30 disposals) were dominant for the Eagles in the come from behind win. Captain Brett Kirk led the way for the Swans all night but it was not enough as they fell short by just four points.

Not even the might of Michael O'Loughlin could lift the Swans over the line in the Qualifying Final against the Eagles.

Semi Final v Geelong

Swans 7.14.56 df Geelong 7.11.53

A famous night at the SCG which many class as one of the most thrilling finals performances of the modern era. After struggling against the Cats all evening the Swans entered the last quarter trailing by 17 points after only managing three goals to that point in the contest. Enter Nick Davis. The small forward stepped up to kick four goals in the final term to will the Swans home by three points in front of a euphoric crowd at the SCG. The win gave the Swans confidence that they could achieve anything in season 2005 with just two wins left to win that elusive premiership.

Preliminary Final v St Kilda

Swans 15.6.96 df St Kilda 9.11.65

The final step before the 2005 Grand Final. The Preliminary Final would ultimately bring the best out of the Paul Roos led Swans as they headed into the final quarter five points behind the Saints at the MCG. It would take seven unanswered goals (three of those from Adam Schneider) in a final term to surge their way into the decider. Barry Hall was also instrumental against his former side with a bag of four goals. There was controversy surrounding the Swans captain, however, after Hall was reported for striking Matt Maguire - a charge he would later get off. Ryan O’Keefe rose above all others in the final quarter to lead his team’s charge into the Grand Final.

Barry Hall tangles with St. Kilda's Matt Maguire during the 2005 Preliminary Final at the MCG.