More than 4,000 fans gathered at the SCG this afternoon to welcome home the Sydney Swans following their 2012 premiership triumph yesterday at the MCG.

The traditional ‘Sydney’ chant could be heard loud and clear across the ground as the Swans supporters keenly awaited the arrival of their premiership heroes.

The crowd tuned into the final moments of Saturday’s 10-point win over Hawthorn and celebrated Nick Malceski’s match-winning  goal for a second time just moments before the players entered the arena.

The stadium erupted as the team made their way onto the stage, with emphatic cheers for each of the 22 players as they were introduced to the crowd.

The players, who had already attended a welcome home in the club’s traditional heartland of South Melbourne in front of a crowd of thousands, proudly wore their medallions and presented the Premiership Cup to their home crowd.

Most players wore sunglasses after last night’s celebrations after undoubtedly not much sleep since yesterday’s thrilling victory.

Swans co-captains Adam Goodes and Jarrad McVeigh addressed the excited Sydney crowd, who were still riding on a high from yesterday’s win.

Goodes told supporters that yesterday’s win was one of the most memorable days of his life.

“It’s been a bit of a blur the last 24 hours and every picture my friends have sent me and I’ve seen on Facebook just reminds me of what a great day yesterday was,” he said.

“It was one of those special occasions.”

Goodes thanked the thousands of fans who had turned out for the occasion and said Sydney/South Melbourne fans had come to expect a certain brand of football which the team executed in Saturday’s Grand Final win.

“I think the whole game and for the whole season, these (fans) who are here today just like the South Melbourne supporters down in Melbourne, they know what to expect every time we play footy,” Goodes said.

“We’re going to come out, we’re going to produce for four quarters and we’re going to try our absolute hearts out no matter what 22 players we’ve got … and we did that yesterday and it got us the win. It was unbelievable!”

McVeigh, who had to wait six years to make amends for the club’s 2006 Grand Final loss, said yesterday’s experience was unforgettable.

“Just the last moment when that siren went, I saw Nick Malceski beside me and we missed out on ’06 and just to see the look on his face, I think we started crying together and it was just the best moment,” he said.

Swans coach John Longmire was also on hand at the celebrations and was greeted with enthusiasm by the bevy of supporters.

Longmire thanked the Swans fans for their attendance today, both in Sydney and in Melbourne.

“We had an open training session here last Tuesday where we had great support and then we went down to Melbourne and saw the Grand Final parade and the players commented that there was probably more red and white in the streets, which was unbelievable to see,” he said.

“Then we went to the game and in the grand stands of 100,000 people there was plenty of red and white and they certainly helped us.

“This morning we’ve just come down from a fan day in Melbourne from the absolute heartland of the football club and where we came from and to see Bobby Skilton there and the entire true South Melbourne faithful was sensational.

“Then to come back (to Sydney) to see you guys out there on mass is just unbelievable.”

Longmire added that the support from Swans fans was the equivalent to having an extra man on field.

“We know that whether it’s at ANZ Stadium or here at the SCG, when we get this place pumping with the red and white, the players really find something,” he said.

“I’ve got no doubt (the fans) helped us get over the line and may we see you all here next year.”