THE SYDNEY Swans received a heroes' welcome when they returned to their traditional home in South Melbourne on Sunday morning carrying with them the premiership cup.

The Swans may have left Victoria for Sydney 30 years ago, but support still runs deep in Melbourne, with fans packing into Lakeside Stadium to greet their team.

Many of the Swans still hadn't slept since their stirring 10-point triumph over Hawthorn at the MCG and most had lost their voices, but it mattered little to the sea of diehard fans smothered in red and white.

The Swans have never forgotten their roots and prefer to be referred to in every instance as the Sydney Swans, never just Sydney, to pay homage to the place where they were founded in 1874.

Coach John Longmire said it is important the South Melbourne element of the club continues to be recognised.

"It's very important," Longmire told AFL.com.au.

"We're very fortunate to have our base in Sydney with the Sydney supporters right behind us.

"But to be able to come to Melbourne and have such a turnout in red and white, we feel very fortunate.

"I can't believe the amount of kids here. There's young kids everywhere who are the new generation of Swans supporters coming through.

"We've still been able to cultivate our Melbourne supporter base."

Rhyce Shaw was the only Swan who failed to front for Sunday's reception, while Shane Mumford missed the team bus and made an impressive entrance after finally making it to Lakeside.

Still wearing his mud-stained guernsey from the day before and having added bright green sneakers, Mumford galloped onto the stage, the premiership helping to ease the pain of his strained hamstring.

Longmire, like all of his players, failed to fully grasp the enormity of the club's achievement on Saturday night, but by Sunday morning it had sunk in.

"Yeah it has. It has now," he said. "I'm just feeling really lucky to be part of it.

"I can't wait to sit back and watch the game."

James Dampney is a reporter for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_JD