THOUSANDS of people have turned out in the heart of Sydney to acclaim new AFL premiers, the Sydney Swans.

The players and coach John Longmire were driven in several cars from the Rocks area through to Sydney Town Hall.

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell was among the dignitaries at Town Hall, where he paid tribute to a "team of champions".

Swans co-captain Jarrad McVeigh thanked his teammates "for an unbelievable year".

The players clearly enjoyed the reception they got from the crowd during the street parade as red and white bunting cascaded down on them on a very warm spring afternoon.

"It's just wonderful, it's so humbling to have so much support here in Sydney," said utility Lewis Roberts-Thomson one of the Sydney raised players in the squad.

"It's great we can share this with all our supporters. It's great to see people here decked in their red and white."