The Sydney Swans have earned the right to contest and hopefully capture that elusive NEAFL premiership after defeating Gold Coast by 68 points in Saturday’s Preliminary Final.
In what was a tale of two halves, the Swans inflicted enough damage (14 goals to two) in the first and second quarters at Blacktown International Sportspark to have the all-important result wrapped up by the major break.
The win books a spot in next Saturday's Grand Final against Brisbane, a bumper clash which will be staged as a curtain-closer to the Sydney-v-Essendon Elimination Final at the SCG.
The NEAFL Swans will be aiming for their first flag since the NEAFL's amalgamation in 2011. They've come close in their previous three appearances, last September's attempt ending in a heart-breaking four-point loss.
It will be Brisbane's first appearance since their success in 2013.
Unlike previous finals series', the Swans will go into the Grand Final with arguably their healthiest list for some time with only ruckman Darcy Cameron (shoulder) and utility Robbie Fox (ankle) ruled out.
They'll have to account for Brisbane which will be no mean feat given the Lions have had the Swans’ measure twice this season, the minor premiers’ only two defeats of 2017.
"We'll need to be switched on," Shaw said, looking ahead to next week's double-header.
"We saw what can happen last year, after being the best side all season, so we've just got to make sure that that first half we produced today is replicated and we maintain that same intensity over the four quarters.
"I'm really confident the boys can do that and give it a real crack."
The Swans applied serious heat early with a six-goal-to-two opening term against Gold Coast, before adding eight unanswered goals to the tally over the ensuing 30 minutes to take a comprehensive and (as it played out) unassailable 98-point lead into half-time.
The Suns showed plenty of fight after the break however, going goal-for-goal with the Swans for most of the third term before outscoring them six goals to one in the final stanza to soften the blow.
"That's the best half of footy we've played all season," Shaw said of the breathtaking start.
"We were geed up for it and it was really exciting and I was really proud as a coach to see the boys go out and execute in that first half.
"We did drop off a little bit after half-time, probably only a metre or two, and they took it as good sides do.
"That's an area for improvement which we'll work hard to fix by next week."
Eleven individual goal-kickers also pleased the coach, James Rose and Shaun Edwards combining for eight goals while providing strong targets in the absence of a genuine key forward.
Michael Talia spent time up forward while Toby Pink was the backup ruck option and rested closer to goal.
Rose split his game time between the forward half and midfield, exhibiting his explosiveness and superb ball use while tallying 23 disposals and nine marks to go with his game-high haul.
Dan Robinson (28 disposals, seven marks, one goal) was a class above, as was Harry Marsh (22 disposals, seven marks) and Brandon Jack (25 disposals).
Harry Cunningham (24 disposals, six tackles, two goals) was also lively as the midfielder looks to retain his spot in the AFL side for Saturday's Elimination Final, while ruckman Sam Naismith made a successful comeback from injury to tally 40 hit-outs and six forward entries.
Gate A will remain open following the conclusion of the AFL Elimination Final, with free entry granted to those wishing to stick around or arriving for the curtain-closer ahead of a 7.45pm opening bounce.
SYDNEY 6.5 14.9 20.14 21.16 (142)
GOLD COAST 2.1 2.3 5.6 11.8 (74)
GOLD COAST 2.1 2.3 5.6 11.8 (74)
GOALS – Sydney: J Rose 4 S Edwards 4 O Florent 2 S Fisher 2 J Dawson 2 H Cunningham 2 S Wicks B Ronke D Robinson T Pink M Talia. Gold Coast: B Crossley 3 T Bowie 2 D Macpherson 2 C Graham 2 B Scheer J Bowes.
BEST – Sydney: D Robinson H Cunningham H Marsh S Naismith J Rose S Fisher. Gold Coast: M Rischitelli T Bowie M Hallahan B Foster J Heron
