Strong defence will play a vital role in the Sydney Swans’ premiership chances according to defender Nick Smith.

Speaking to SwansTV following the Swans’ 26-point Preliminary Final victory over Collingwood at ANZ Stadium, Smith said tough defence has been a common denominator in recent premiership sides.

“If you look at all the premiership sides in the last few years, they’ve been really good defensive sides, so that’s definitely an aim,” Smith told SwansTV.

“If we can keep sides down to six goals or even ten goals, it gives you a really good chance of winning.”

The Swans miserly defence was at it again against the Magpies, keeping last year’s Grand Finalists to just five goals at half-time, and ten for the entire match.

Smith said it was a combination of the Swans back six and the team’s midfield which stemmed Collingwood’s scoring in tonight’s game.

Click on the player above to watch Nick Smith speak to SwansTV in the rooms after Friday night’s Preliminary Final win

“I think we did well, the mids played a big part in it as well because the pressure they put on in the midfield determines how the ball comes down,” he said.

“As a back group, I think we’ve been solid pretty much all year and tonight was no different.

“We knew Collingwood would be a really tough opponent, and they were, but I think we played really good footy, our pressure was really good and it’s a really exciting feeling.”

It wasn’t only the Swans defence that rose to the occasion against the Pies, with the attack looking equally potent.

In particular, Lewis Jetta was back to his brilliant best, finishing the game with three goals including a spectacular effort which saw the 23-year-old sprint half the length of the ground to add to the Swans’ score.

Speaking after the match, the fleet-footed forward said as soon as he saw the coast was clear, he set his sights on accelerating into goal.

“As soon as I grabbed it, I looked around and everyone was all sort of behind me and I looked forward and there was no one there and there was a big paddock,” Jetta told SwansTV.

“I was then like ‘see ya, I’m going!’ and I was just running and not stopping.

“As soon as I just give (my team mates) a little sign, they just come straight towards me and just blocked for me, so thanks to all the boys who help me out and I paid them back with a nice running goal!”

Watch Lewis Jetta speak to SwansTV in the rooms after Friday night’s Preliminary Final win

Jetta said his brilliant form this season was a result of the extra hours he put in over pre-season at the club.

“Especially in this back half of the season and into the finals, I just need to thank Kieren Jack and my partner as well and everyone who got me through pre-season with that extra fitness,” he told SwansTV.

“Now (that fitness) just shows, especially in the big games where I’m able to run up and down the oval and not get tired, so it’s unbelievable.”

Swans veteran Jude Bolton, who celebrated his 300th game in tonight’s match, said there was nothing better than seeing Jetta storm ahead of his opponent with the ball.

“It was exhilarating just seeing him running and bouncing away,” Bolton said.

“I’ve really loved the way he’s put a lot of pressure on this year and working both sides of the footy, and certainly we need to be able to get it out to him in space and let him do his job.

“As long as he keeps his work rate up, he’s going to be a really important player.”