The Sydney Swans semi final win over Carlton will be remembered as one of the highlights of the 2013 season, in what was one of the club’s most stirring victories.

Written off by many following a disappointing performance against Hawthorn the week before, the Swans showed they weren’t ready to give up the fight and recorded a 24-point win over the Blues in front of a home crowd at ANZ Stadium.

The Swans victory was even sweeter given that the team was missing a host of senior players including Adam Goodes, Rhyce Shaw, Sam Reid and Alex Johnson, and fielded two finals debutants, Harry Cunningham and Shane Biggs.

The Swans were put to the test only minutes into the first quarter, when the club’s leading goal kicker, Kurt Tippett suffered a game-ending knee injury after landing awkwardly in a marking contest.

Moments after Tippett was subbed out of the match, midfielder Tom Mitchell also suffered an injury blow, when the 20-year-old sustained a serious ankle injury which also ruled him out of the match.

The Swans determination to continue their September campaign was evident throughout the final, led largely by Jarrad McVeigh, who stamped his authority on the contest with a 20-possession second quarter.

McVeigh’s influence was enormous, with the co-captain finishing the game with a career-best 42 disposals and two goals.

Fellow co-captain Kieren Jack also led from the front, collecting 30 touches and kicking two goals, while Heath Grundy produced one of his best games for the season in defence.

The club’s young guns also stepped up in the win, with Luke Parker slotting three goals, including two goals in as many minutes in the Swans’ rampant third term, and Cunningham kicking two goals in his first final.

The Swans win also meant that Jude Bolton, who was set to retire at the end of the finals campaign, would play one more game in the red and white.

What they said

"To lose two players so early in the game, halfway through the first quarter, and to continue to play like we did was a real credit to them. I thought they showed a lot of mental strength and a hell of a lot of resilience,” John Longmire following the Swans semi final win.

“A lot of us didn’t come off in the second half or get much of a rest, but just the effort by the boys and the leaders to stand up and the way everyone played their role was terrific,” midfielder Luke Parker following the Swans’ win.

"He really knows his football and he just digs deep and has got an enormous amount of resilience and is fantastic off the ground as well,” Longmire on Jarrad McVeigh’s effort.

Coverage

Five-minute Final: Swans v Carlton

Swans progress to face Freo

Character and resilience define win

Parker a dangerous forward foil

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