JARRAD McVeigh put the full stop on a turbulent 14 months of his life on Saturday, with a Herculean captain's knock to drag the Sydney Swans to their second flag in eight years.

It was little more than a year ago that McVeigh and his wife Clementine tragically lost their infant daughter Luella to a heart problem.

But it's been nothing but positives for the 27-year-old Swans co-captain in the past three months.

Clementine gave birth to Lolita-Luella in July, and on Saturday the skipper played one of the best of his 194 games for the club in the 10-point triumph.

His statistics alone are first class: 21 disposals (12 contested), seven marks, nine tackles and two goals.

But even more than that it was how McVeigh influenced the result.

With his team trailing by 19 points at quarter time and all the momentum against the Swans, the nine-season veteran lifted in the second quarter.

His neat chip pass in the first minute led to a Josh Kennedy goal and when he goaled himself just minutes later following a strong mark over Cyril Rioli, the Swans had kicked three in succession and were on the charge.

Then late in the third quarter with Hawthorn in front on the back of five successive goals, who came to the fore? You guessed it.

McVeigh won a free kick on the outer wing and after benefitting from a 50m penalty he calmly slotted the goal from 40m to give his team the lead entering the final change.

The rugged midfielder was still in disbelief in the dressing-rooms post-match.

"I actually nearly fainted downstairs before, that's how good it feels. It's an unbelievable feeling and we've done it," McVeigh said.

"You can't describe it. You dream of it as a kid and to lead the club with Goodesy (Adam Goodes), to win a premiership … I missed out in '06, and it just makes it even better now."

McVeigh said the Swans were successful because every player - many of who come from interstate - bought into their program.

"No-one rates us at all throughout the year, but we know within our group if we can have 22 guys play (well), then no-one can beat us, and we had that today.

"We've worked hard for this opportunity. A lot of our young players have played in a few finals here and there but really bought in this year and our leaders stood up and we've got a pretty young group. I'm lapping this up at the moment, but we've got a great opportunity, great squad, great players. Who knows what can happen next?"