The match, which saw the club win by 11-points at the MCG, was a slow grind for the Swans, who trailed by as much as 26 points midway through the second term.
Speaking to SwansTV after the match, McVeigh said while his team’s first-half efforts were below par, he was impressed with the Swans’ resolve in the final two quarters.
“It was a pretty poor performance by us but it’s good to win ugly sometimes,” McVeigh said.
“To play the way we did and to come away with a hard-fought victory was pleasing.”
Following a disappointing first half, the Swans were able to step up their pressure and intensity and finished the match with 99 tackles, 38 more than the Tigers.
McVeigh, who collected 21 possessions, one goal and laid six tackles, said his team always had the belief that they could get back in the game.
“We just had to get our pressure up and be hard at the footy and we knew eventually the game would turn for us,” he said.
“In the first half (those things) were probably non existent from us but we stepped it up and the third and last quarter.
“We know that when we’re doing that stuff we’re always going to be in the game and as bad as we were we were only 14 points down at half time, so I still thought we were right in the game.
“We had to adjust there and try to communicate more to sit off in the dangerous space.
“In the end we fought it out and got some crucial goals at the end to win.”
The co-captain singled out Harry Cunningham (22 possessions, six tackles) and Sam Reid (two goals, four tackles) as two of the Swans’ best performers, as well as Lance Franklin who booted four goals for the match, including two crucial last quarter goals to secure the win.
McVeigh said Buddy’s influence in the final term could not be overlooked.
“It’s probably the difference in the end,” he said.
The Swans, who have won nine consecutive matches, will now direct their attention to next Saturday’s Sydney Derby against GWS at the SCG.
With the club’s poor round one performance against GWS still in mind, McVeigh said the Swans couldn’t wait to try to even the ledger next weekend.
“We’ve already spoken about it and we do owe them one,” he said.
“We have to really start well and get on top and play our game.
“We’re really looking forward to this one.”
