Rhyce Shaw couldn't hide his utter disappointment of losing Sunday's NEAFL grand final but couldn't question the endeavour of his players, saying they left everything out on the park.
In arguably one of the fiercely contested finales in NEAFL history, Sydney and GWS went goal for goal right to the final siren but it was the Giants who clinched the four-point epic.
It was an agonising result for the Swans who, after finishing the regular season as minor premiers, have now lost five grand finals from as many attempts since the NEAFL’s amalgamation in 2011.
Equally shattered about the result as the players, Shaw remained resolute and upbeat about the performance.
"It's a very hard thing to go through, losing a grand final, especially one as competitive and intense as that one," Shaw said.
"To come out and lose by four points isn't the greatest feeling.
"But in retrospect, I'm really proud of the boys' effort and how they went about it. It was a super game of footy and they put everything on the line which I was really pleased about.”
The NEAFL Swans lost two key playmakers to injury during the final term, Zak Jones with concussion and Tyrone Leonardis who hurt his leg, which had a clear effect on Shaw’s ability to rotate and rest players in what was a gruelling affair at Blacktown International Sportspark.
Even with their backs to the wall, Shaw said there were still key moments during the game and in the see-sawing final quarter which could have swung the game in their favour.
“We certainly had our opportunities to put scores on the board and put pressure back on GWS but we didn’t achieve that,” Shaw said.
“When you lose a quality player like Zak Jones, who was playing some super footy. To lose his influence on the game hurt us, I’m not going to shy away from that.
“The guys really banded together and kept going. We changed a couple things … and I think it worked. It’s just, key moments in that last quarter, we just didn’t take our chances.
“You have to in games like that. That’s one of the best games you’ll see in the NEAFL for a long time and if you don’t take those chances you’re going to get hurt at some stage.”
While still digesting the loss Shaw has had some time to reflect on the year, believing there’s a lot to like about the future going by the incredible attitude and ‘buy in’ of the 51 players who featured at NEAFL level this season.
From Ted Richards, to Aliir Aliir, to Brandon Jack and the 20 QBE Sydney Swans Academy 'top-ups' who've held their own at the higher level.
“The season gone by has been a fantastic one for me after coming straight out playing and given the responsibility of coaching the two’s,” Shaw added.
“I’ve been blessed with the players we’ve had and the way they’ve gone about it has been fantastic, they’ve really bought in to what we’re about.
“They’ve really set the standards high so they’re ready for senior footy whenever they get the opportunity.”
“I couldn’t speak highly enough of the group for what they’ve done this year. Yes, we didn’t win (on Sunday) but they put in a hell of a performance so it’s a credit to them.”
