An incredible feat, it also leaves them bereft of the high draft picks afforded to clubs stuck near the base of the ladder.
So the Swans have had to sharpen their gaze and find some hidden gems.
Fortunately they have Kinnear Beatson at their disposal, a recruiting manager the equal of any in the AFL.
Over the years the Swans snapped up Michael O'Loughlin (pick 40, 1994), Adam Goodes (pick 43, 1997), Ryan O'Keefe (pick 56, 1999) and Nick Malceski (pick 64, 2002) with low picks.
More recently, Alex Johnson (pick 57, 2010) and Luke Parker (pick 40, 2010) have also proven astute selections.
BEST RECENT STEAL: Luke Parker
Parker was an absolute bargain at pick 40 in the 2010 draft.
The Swans used their first pick on Jed Lamb (No.21 overall), a player that departed for more opportunities at GWS last year and is still establishing himself at AFL level.
They also took Alex Johnson at No.57, who quickly earned a permanent spot in the backline and played in the 2012 flag, but repeated knee injuries have limited his progress.
Splitting them at No.40 was Parker, a tough, no-nonsense midfielder from the Dandenong Stingrays.
So many other teams had the chance to take Parker and there's little doubt right now they would be wishing they had.
Still just 21, he has played 66 games, was the sub in the 2012 premiership and is just scratching the surface with his ability.
He also has leadership potential.
THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY: Dayne Beams
In the 2008 draft, the Swans took Lewis Johnston with pick 12, a high selection for them during that stretch.
Unfortunately, Johnston never made the most of his opportunity in Sydney, playing just two senior games over three years before being shipped to Adelaide.
But the players taken after Johnston that year make for some impressive reading, including Luke Shuey, Liam Shiels, Steven Motlop, Rory Sloane and Taylor Hunt.
But perhaps the one that could add the most polish to the Swans' midfield right now is Beams, who Collingwood got at a steal with pick 29.
Click here to read the full list of draft hits and misses from afl.com.au
