Sydney Swans reserves coach Jared Crouch said he could not be more proud of his team after Saturday afternoon’s devastating two-point NEAFL grand final loss to Aspley in Brisbane.

The loss, which saw Aspley slot a buzzer-beating set shot to clutch victory, came after the Swans reserves swung the momentum back their way in the third term, and held a 32-point lead at the last change.

In what was an emotionally-charged loss for the group, Crouch told SwansTV while he was utterly disappointed for his team, he was proud of the way they carried themselves in defeat.

“I’m just super proud of them,” Crouch said after the match.

“They tell me it’s character building when you look at it in the light of day.

“But it’s an emotional game and we all love it.

“I wanted to get out there and help the boys and they love playing it, but it didn’t happen for us today, but I’m just so proud of the way they conducted themselves out there.”

Crouch, who experienced the elation of grand final success in the Sydney Swans’ 2005 premiership team, said he desperately wanted his side to taste the ultimate success this weekend.

While things didn’t go their way this season, Crouch said he was determined to help them achieve success in the future.

“It does hurt when you get to this stage and I’ve been fortunate to play in those big games and I’ve been fortunate enough to win them, and I know how good that feels,” he said.

“For this group of guys who I love working with, I just want for them to be able to feel that.

“Unfortunately it wasn’t this year but hopefully at some point we’ll be able to get them there so they can feel the exhilaration of winning a grand final.”

Crouch said he was impressed with each and every player in Saturday’s loss, and highlighted the performance of Andrew Ireland Medallist Tom Mitchell as well as Dean Towers, who played a number of roles throughout the match.

“Deano played a few different roles and we threw him down back to give us some run,” he said.

“He probably also had a late inclusion for goal of the year with a few bounces through the middle and a long goal, and maybe hangar on the year as well.

“We had some guys who did some good jobs and it is hard to find a guy who didn’t have a crack, and that’s all you ask for.”

The result of Saturday’s final was also bittersweet for Swans veteran Ryan O’Keefe, who last month announced that he would depart the club at the end of the year.

Crouch said O’Keefe, who took on a leadership role within the reserves this season, had contributed a lot to Swans development group in 2014.

“As I said to the boys in the rooms after, it’s been a privilege to have him working with the guys,” the coach said.

“As I keep saying to him, I do know him a fair bit and I’ve travelled with him; I think that this year has been an amazing year for him of personal development.”

Crouch said O’Keefe should be able to look back at his 2014 season with his head held high, knowing that he made an impact of the next generation of Swans.

“No matter where his journey takes him, he’ll be able to look back at some of the young boys who do go on to play senior football at the Swans and know he’s made his mark on those guys,” he said.

“He can then share in the joy of all supporters in knowing that he played some part in getting them where they want to go.”