The Sydney Swans will click into gear for a ninth-straight finals campaign in a fortnight’s time, the longest current taste of September action.
While Sydney fell to Hawthorn in a nine-point loss last Saturday, the Swans sealed their spot in September through a win over the Giants the week prior – and the fierce cross-town rivals are set to clash again.
The sixth-placed Swans and seventh-placed Giants will square off in an elimination final at the SCG on Saturday, September 8.
The Swans have featured in finals football every year since 2009 and coach John Longmire couldn’t be prouder.
“I’m really pleased for the players and the supporters, board and staff that we’re able to keep playing finals,” Longmire said.
“It’s not an easy thing to do. It’s very tough to do when you’ve got equalisation and things counting against you in that regard.
“I’m very pleased to be able to coach a group that we’ve got, which is a pretty fierce, competitive group that wants to give themselves every chance every year.
“We don’t get it right all the time – we understand that. But we generally get in there and have a crack and give ourselves a show.”
The West Coast Eagles lay claim to the second-longest current finals streak, a run of four years stretching back to 2015 when they fell to Hawthorn in the Grand Final.
GWS and Geelong are set to play a part in a third-straight finals series, while Richmond is eyeing back-to-back campaigns after eclipsing Adelaide to win the 2017 flag.
Hawthorn, Collingwood and Melbourne missed the boat last year but are in the mix in 2018.
Essendon beat Sydney in Round 19 to consign the Swans to a fourth loss in five games, squeezing them out of the top eight for the first time since the end of Round 5.
Sydney returned from a Round 14 bye sitting second but would fall to Richmond, Geelong, Gold Coast and Essendon in the space of five games to plummet to ninth on the ladder.
But wins over finals campaigners Collingwood, Melbourne and GWS would follow as the Swans put a stop to a season in freefall.
Longmire says the Swans are rapt to be on the verge of another finals series.
“It's a feeling of gratitude that we’re a part of it once again,” Longmire said.
“You know how hard it is and you know there are eight other teams doing their reviews and looking forward to next year and getting their preparations right for next year. I’m glad we’re not one of those and I’m glad we’re still in the hunt.
“It can’t be underestimated how difficult that is and it can’t be underestimated how much of a challenge we’ve got ahead of us. But it’s something that our playing group are really looking forward to.”
The Swans are hopeful forward Lance Franklin and gun midfielder Luke Parker will return for the elimination final.
The star duo missed the Hawks clash due to groin troubles, but Longmire says he expects them to train next week and be available for selection.
In the meantime, Longmire says the Swans are ready to hit ‘go’ on a new competition.
“A new season starts now for all the eight teams in the finals,” Longmire said.
“We’re really thrilled to be a part of it again and we have an opportunity to reset, refresh and in two weeks’ time get stuck into it. We’re looking forward to it.”
