The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs

2011 snapshot
Ladder position: 6th; 12W, 9L, 1D
Leading goalkicker: Adam Goodes (41)
Leading possession winner: Ryan O'Keefe (543)
Played every game: Adam Goodes, Daniel Hannebery, Josh Kennedy, Martin Mattner, Ryan O'Keefe, Rhyce Shaw, Ben McGlynn
Debutants: Alex Johnson (20 games), Luke Parker (13), Lewis Johnston (2), Nathan Gordon (2), Byron Sumner (1)

Stats leaders
Toyota AFL Dream Team: Adam Goodes (2,362)
Kicks: Adam Goodes (320)
Handballs: Josh Kennedy (256)
Marks: Adam Goodes (143)
Hit-outs: Shane Mumford (662)
Clearances: Josh Kennedy (168)
Contested possessions: Josh Kennedy (353)
Uncontested possessions: Jarrad McVeigh (309)

NAB AFL Rising Star nominees
Sam Reid (round 12)

List manager
The Swans are reasonably happy with the make-up of their list going forward, with the likes of Sam Reid, Alex Johnson and Luke Parker emerging in 2011. Goalkicking was their biggest issue, so they may target an experienced body to partner Reid up front, although they're not easy to find.

Games that shaped a season
Rd 3: Sydney Swans 15.11 (101) d West Coast 13.10 (88)
At the time, the significance of the win wasn't known, but with the Eagles ending the season in the top four, it was clearly one of the Swans' best efforts. Trailing by six points at the last break, the Swans kicked the last four goals of the game to snare an impressive win.

Rd 11: Sydney Swans 17.14 (116) d Brisbane Lions 7.9 (51)
The Swans struggled to kick goals all season, but this game proved they did have the ability to score heavily. They led by 78 points late in a scintillating first half before coasting to their second biggest win of the season.

Rd 20: Essendon 15.10 (100) d Sydney Swans 14.15 (99)
This was one of the games of the season, with Adam Goodes just missing a set shot after the siren to win the game. In a classic battle, neither side could break away, with the Swans left ruing a return of 2.9 in the last quarter.

Rd 21: Richmond 14.15 (99) d Sydney Swans 7.14 (56)
The Swans would love to have this game back. With a home final still well within reach, the Swans just had a bad day at the office, putting in a desperately disappointing effort in only their second trip to the MCG for the year.

Rd 23: Sydney Swans 15.9 (99) d Geelong 12.14 (86)
There is a clear winner in the pick of Swans games that shaped their year. Heading into their penultimate game of the home and away season, and with a finals spot still to be secured, the Swans travelled to Skilled Stadium, where they hadn't won since 1999 and the Cats were unbeaten for four years. The upset 13-point win stunned the AFL and showed the Swans what they are capable of when they produce their best football.

What went right
Despite having few high draft picks in recent years, the Swans unearthed some hidden gems in key defender Alex Johnson and tough midfielder Luke Parker in 2011. At the other end of the spectrum, vital veterans Adam Goodes, Ryan O'Keefe, Jude Bolton, Marty Mattner, Jarrad McVeigh, Rhyce Shaw and Ted Richards missed a total of just five games between them. Lewis Roberts-Thomson made his name as a defender, but proved himself a capable forward and back-up to No.1 ruckman Shane Mumford. Although injury curtailed his season, Roberts-Thomson extended his contract for a further two seasons. The Swans also proved themselves road warriors in 2011, picking up six wins and a draw from their 11 games away.

What went wrong
Craig Bolton and Daniel Bradshaw entered the season as the Swans' first-choice full-back and full-forward respectively. But neither played a game, both forced to retire through injury. The Swans also had an uncharacteristically poor record at the SCG, winning just four of their eight games at the ground. A key on-field issue was clearly goalkicking. Just eight times in 22 games did the Swans kick more goals than behinds. Kieren Jack and Shane Mumford, first and second in the best and fairest in 2010, also missed a combined 11 games through injury and suspension, preventing their dangerous combination from fully firing in 2011.

Critical moment
Their victory over Geelong was their best win of the season, but the most important came the previous week against St Kilda at ANZ Stadium. They had lost two straight games, including a terrible performance in the 43-point loss to Richmond, and the heat was on. But the Swans responded in trademark style, clawing their way to a 15-point victory that reignited their finals campaign.

Most valuable player
Adam Goodes. The co-captain played every game and showed that even at the age of 31, he hasn't lost any of his electric pace or game-winning abilities. Having signed on until the end of 2013, the Swans will enjoy his rare gifts for some time yet.

Coach's pet
Each week this question was posed in player profiles in the AFL Record and invariably the response was the same - Dan Hannebery. His courage was highlighted in the one-point loss to Essendon in round 20. Crunched in a marking attempt, a battered and bloodied Hannebery came back on and continued to recklessly throw himself into contests. Longmire loves the way the 2010 NAB AFL Rising Star goes about his football.

Next big thing
Undoubtedly Sam Reid. Still a teenager, Reid played 21 games in 2011 and held down centre half-forward throughout the season. A terrific contested mark with great hands, Reid needs to continue working on his goalkicking, finishing with 20.23 for the season. But the Rising Star nominee is a force in waiting.

Needs a big pre-season
Nick Malceski was cut down by his third knee injury in 2011, leading to his second bout of LARS surgery. Once again he swiftly returned to the side, but struggled for form and consistency, adding a groin niggle to his ongoing knee problems. Malceski's class and kicking skills are unquestioned and with a solid pre-season, should be back to his best in 2012.

Trading places
Jesse White was just about on his last legs in 2011, bouncing in and out of the team. But he performed well in the final three games of the season and may have just saved his Swans career. Lewis Johnston finally made his debut this year after being taken with the 12th overall pick in the 2008 draft. However, he managed only two games due to form and injuries and will need a big 2012.

What they said
"It was obviously a tough week and the players I thought responded amazingly well. The way they prepared after hearing the tragic news and went about their business, you couldn't help but think of the way 'Macca' led the team last week and everyone looked at that as an example."
Coach John Longmire after the Swans rallied behind Jarrad and Clementine McVeigh after the loss of their daughter in the week leading up to the trip to Geelong.

In a nutshell
Making the finals for an eighth time in nine years was a decent effort and if their veterans can hang on for another couple of years, the progress of some youngsters showed good times could again be on the horizon at the SCG.