TAKING on Geelong and West Coast on their home turf easily rates among the toughest assignments in the AFL.
Both lost just once at home in the 2011 home-and-away season, and both defeats came against the same opponent - the Sydney Swans.
That away form has given the Swans plenty of confidence leading into their elimination final against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
The Swans were just pipped to a home final by the Saints, but after taking six wins and a draw from their 11 away games this season, playing away from Sydney doesn't faze them.
"A home final would've been nice, but it's not everything," midfielder Kieren Jack said on Monday.
"We're happy to be in finals and our form away from home this year overall actually hasn't been too bad.
"Certainly a couple of weeks ago, Geelong in Geelong is as tough as it gets. We took a heap of confidence away from that, (beating) a top-two team away from home.
"It's no different this week against St Kilda. We've played well at Etihad Stadium before, and I expect we'll do the same thing again."
The Swans have recaptured their best form in recent weeks, which included a 15-point win over the Saints in Sydney in round 22.
St Kilda bounced back from that defeat with impressive victories over North Melbourne and Carlton, and Jack is anticipating a "war of attrition" on Saturday.
"We respect St Kilda immensely and the way they go about their footy," he said.
"They're a very similar side to us, relying on contested ball and creating numbers around stoppages.
"I'm sure it'll be a really physical encounter and it's one that we're really looking forward to.
"It'll be a bit of a war of attrition, and the team that's hardest on the day will end up winning."
The Swans felt they missed an opportunity last season when they knocked off Carlton by five points in an elimination final before losing their semi-final to the Bulldogs by the same margin.
They do have something of a different, younger look in 2011, which Jack feels has given them a lift.
"I think our young players this year have been crucial to the way we've performed," he said.
"Guys like Luke Parker coming in, Sam Reid, Alex Johnson holding down a key position down back, it's been a great source of energy for the middle-tier players like me and the older players in the team.
"It'll be a great opportunity for them to experience a final in Melbourne against a quality side."
The Swans don't want to let another opportunity slip.
"Finals footy, the intensity goes to another level and you see players really fighting for their lives because it is a life or death situation," Jack added.
"Lose and you're out for the year, and 11 months of training and preparing is finished.
"You play footy to play in finals and to win premierships."
