The 2012 season is one that Swans co-captain Jarrad McVeigh will not forget in a hurry.

The classy midfielder, who was one of three Swans who didn’t’ play in the 2005 premiership but played in the losing 2006 Grand Final, said this year’s triumph was the redemption he had hoped for over the past six years.

Not only did McVeigh claim his first premiership medallion and got to lift the Cup after the Grand Final, he also produced an outstanding season in which he did not miss a game and averaged just over 24 disposals per game.

Speaking to sydneyswans.com.au, McVeigh said, for him, the 2012 season was perfect.

How did you sum up your season in 2012?

Perfect - because we won.

Personally it started off a bit slow, but I think after the bye and for the rest of the year I think I played consistent footy and I think I had a good finals period, which was really satisfying, and then to win was the best.

How much improvement has this team made over the past 12 months?

We played two finals last year, which was some good experience for our younger players and that bottom tier including Jetta and Parker and those sorts of guy have really taken their games to another level and then Josh Kennedy, he went again. That group of players really stepped it up and when they play consistent footy we’re a lot better team.

Is there one player who you believe has made the most improvement this year?

I think Joey (Josh Kennedy) has had a good two years, but this year has definitely been another level on that. I don’t really think he’s played a bad game this year so he’s been unbelievable for us.

He’s the player for me that really went to a new level.

How did you rate the Swans midfield this season?

It’s been unbelievable. We work really hard together as a group and tried to do as much extra stuff as we could to be the best. The midfield is pretty much where it starts and finishes every week, so if we’re on top in that area, it flows on both up forward and in defence.

Fortunately this year we did really well in that area and we’ve got to keep continuing that stuff on.

Is there one game this year that you think you played at your best?

The Collingwood game (would have to be the game). I haven’t played well against them in a few years, so to play well in a Prelim Final was great. I thought I was really effective with my disposals and I was really happy with my output.

As a co-captain of this club, how did it feel to dispel three ‘hoodoos’ in the finals’ series this year?

We’ve had a few (hoodoos) this year. We didn’t even speak about it, but obviously the Crows had beaten us before but when the ball is bounced it means nothing, and the Collingwood stuff doesn’t mean anything. It’s just the media talking it up but we just ignored it and went about the business the way we wanted to and we got the right results.

What was going through your head when the siren went after the Grand Final?

I just remember Mal kicking that goal and I was behind him just going ‘Go ball, go ball!’ and it went in and then he was going nuts.

Then we had to switch back on to get everyone back because obviously there wasn’t long left and when the siren went I was next to Mal, which was great because we missed out in ’06, and we just started crying and rolling on the ground. It was a super thing and just an unbelievable moment.

Reflecting on the match stats, it looked as though the Swans shouldn’t have won. What do you think got the team over the line?

I think our players showed a lot of heart. You can’t question anyone out there and I think we all played great games and we did it together and it’s a team that doesn’t want to give up and never gives in and I think we showed that. (Hawthorn) got on top early then we came back and then it was fairly even from then on, but to be 12 points down without long left and to come back was just a lot of heart.

What was your moment of the Grand Final?

It would probably be when the siren went. Just knowing that we’d done it and it was just so hard to explain.

What are your plans for the off-season?

I’m going overseas somewhere but I haven’t booked a flight yet. I just plan to go somewhere hot and relax.