There are wins, and there are wins.

Sometimes in footy a win can earn you more than just four premiership points.

Thursday’s nights win over GWS was one of them.

The Swans earned annual Derby bragging rights over the Giants, with their most complete display of the season. And it gave all Swans fans in NSW and Victoria who have essentially been locked out of matches in 2020 some much needed cheer.

But most important is the belief that will be instilled in the likes of Dylan Stephens, Zac Foot, Sam Wicks, James Bell and the entire team – young and old. The belief in knowing, that when you put in the work; that when the effort is there and you get things right; the results will come. On Thursday night, the result was a comprehensive smashing of a highly credentialed, highly talented local rival.

It’s one thing for us fans – watching with our rose-coloured glasses on – to believe the team is heading in the right direction, but nothing is more powerful than when the players can believe. And Thursday night delivered belief in spades.

Luke Parker, once again, set the tone. He was tough and brilliant at the same time. He was the embodiment of his ‘why can’t we?’ preseason speech.

James Rowbottom was superb. He looked like a protégé of his captain but handed out ‘don’t argues’ like he was Dustin Martin. It was a social distancing masterclass. With his stocks rising, his headband – seemingly fashioned from electrical tape – could become the next big thing in facial adornments, following the roaring success of the facemask in 2020.

Dane Rampe, who was likened to a cape wearing superhero a matter of weeks ago, has now added another weapon to his arsenal. No defender has worn a glove with such authority since Mark Schwarzer in the 2006 World Cup Qualifier penalty shootout.

Nick Blakey’s first half was everything we knew he could do but had had struggled to achieve early in the season.

Dylan Stephens laid six tackles and Zac Foot’s eyes only for the ball saw him mark and boot the first goal of his career.

All over the ground, it appeared the Swans coaching group had crafted the perfect plan against the talented opposition. Though next time they may elect to play a shutdown role on the umpire who kicked the Giants only three goals of the game.

It was a win that delivered in so many ways. And while it was just one small step up the AFL ladder, it was one giant leap for belief.