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Five weeks ago the Swans walked off AAMI Stadium a despondent lot. They have tried their collective heart and soul out and had gone down to a side by four points in tough circumstances.
What must have been going through their heads on Sunday as they returned to the place which brought them so much disappointment and anguish ? ?This time there will be no disappointment. This time there will be no what-ifs. When we leave the field this time, we will be crowned as a bona fide top four side and not one which is simply making up the numbers.?
Now its as if the Swans finished top of the home and away ladder and Port eighth. In many ways, the loss to Collingwood proved to be the ultimate blessing in disguise and its doubtful that a home PF could have happened (assuming Port won its QF) but a home final is only worth anything if you win it ? ask Port.
Make no mistake ? apart from 1996 and a brief flirtation in 1998, the Swans have been finals fodder. Simply making up the numbers.
In 1997, the Swans were ambushed by a ferocious Western Bulldogs side, given a six goal touch up. One of the Bulldogs players that day took an absolute screamer. Who was that high-flying Bulldog? A certain Brett Montgomery. Who was brought down to earth on Sunday with just 10 touches? Brett Montgomery. A bit of atonement for 1997.
And what would Port Power make of Nick Davis. They must think he is some type of qualifying final voodoo doll. Last year with Collingwood and this year with the Swans.
Watching the game, contrary to what most of the (Melbourne) commentators think it wasn?t that Port choked but that Sydney played irresistible football. They were savage in the 50/50?s, they chased everything, ran for each other, made space and tackled the living suitcases out of the Port.
But the media loves sticking it to Port as that is a very sexy story. Writing about a winning Port and invincible Port is boring. A Port choking story is written with glee. There are less stories praising the Swans as that would mean the media would have to concede they got it wrong plus in the back of their mind, they think that the side will still falter.
There is a line somewhere which says ?What thou the odd be great or small, Swans will go in and win overall, while her loyal sons are marching?? That isn?t just a catchy tune but if you believe what you say ? how much of a surprise was the win?
Port didn?t have a chance to blink and they were 40 points down. Football is about being pro-active and Mark Williams had to react to the Swans the whole day. Paul Roos forced Port to play the game on his terms ? something which was so audacious that no-one actually even considered it possible before the game.
It was the weakling kicking sand in the body-builders face.
People talk about finals football ? the war of attrition ? doing whatever it takes to win the game and the Swans did that. The efforts which typified the Swans was just after Port had kicked a goal and there were nine minutes left on the clock. From the centre bounce, the ball went out on the wing. Ball up after ball up after throw in and throw in saw two minutes erased from the clock. That was finals football for you.
But ultimately the Swans won because they were the more honest side. Their running was harder and they were more interested in playing good clean football than dishing out physical intimidation. Football is a game like no other in which it rewards all of these things which is why the Swans have gained the universal kudos of the football world.
As for Port, clearly they did not respect their opponent. They thought it would be a stroll in the park, nothing more than a training run and for that, they paid the ultimate penalty. They can produce good football and still win the Premiership but they would have learnt a lesson like no other.
As for the Swans ? they knew that there was no time like the present to produce.
The game seemed a mirror image of the Hawthorn one where the Swans had everything and everyone to play for and the Hawks nothing only for the Hawks to come out and play leaving the Swans dawdling in the blocks. This time it was the Swans who produced the goodes.
Brisbane or Adelaide ? the players want Adelaide to make up for 1998 and five weeks ago but this time they have the weight of expectations on them. No longer can they camouflage themselves as underdogs but if they stay positive and continue to lift that noble banner high, the fairytale 2003 season will continue.
What must have been going through their heads on Sunday as they returned to the place which brought them so much disappointment and anguish ? ?This time there will be no disappointment. This time there will be no what-ifs. When we leave the field this time, we will be crowned as a bona fide top four side and not one which is simply making up the numbers.?
Now its as if the Swans finished top of the home and away ladder and Port eighth. In many ways, the loss to Collingwood proved to be the ultimate blessing in disguise and its doubtful that a home PF could have happened (assuming Port won its QF) but a home final is only worth anything if you win it ? ask Port.
Make no mistake ? apart from 1996 and a brief flirtation in 1998, the Swans have been finals fodder. Simply making up the numbers.
In 1997, the Swans were ambushed by a ferocious Western Bulldogs side, given a six goal touch up. One of the Bulldogs players that day took an absolute screamer. Who was that high-flying Bulldog? A certain Brett Montgomery. Who was brought down to earth on Sunday with just 10 touches? Brett Montgomery. A bit of atonement for 1997.
And what would Port Power make of Nick Davis. They must think he is some type of qualifying final voodoo doll. Last year with Collingwood and this year with the Swans.
Watching the game, contrary to what most of the (Melbourne) commentators think it wasn?t that Port choked but that Sydney played irresistible football. They were savage in the 50/50?s, they chased everything, ran for each other, made space and tackled the living suitcases out of the Port.
But the media loves sticking it to Port as that is a very sexy story. Writing about a winning Port and invincible Port is boring. A Port choking story is written with glee. There are less stories praising the Swans as that would mean the media would have to concede they got it wrong plus in the back of their mind, they think that the side will still falter.
There is a line somewhere which says ?What thou the odd be great or small, Swans will go in and win overall, while her loyal sons are marching?? That isn?t just a catchy tune but if you believe what you say ? how much of a surprise was the win?
Port didn?t have a chance to blink and they were 40 points down. Football is about being pro-active and Mark Williams had to react to the Swans the whole day. Paul Roos forced Port to play the game on his terms ? something which was so audacious that no-one actually even considered it possible before the game.
It was the weakling kicking sand in the body-builders face.
People talk about finals football ? the war of attrition ? doing whatever it takes to win the game and the Swans did that. The efforts which typified the Swans was just after Port had kicked a goal and there were nine minutes left on the clock. From the centre bounce, the ball went out on the wing. Ball up after ball up after throw in and throw in saw two minutes erased from the clock. That was finals football for you.
But ultimately the Swans won because they were the more honest side. Their running was harder and they were more interested in playing good clean football than dishing out physical intimidation. Football is a game like no other in which it rewards all of these things which is why the Swans have gained the universal kudos of the football world.
As for Port, clearly they did not respect their opponent. They thought it would be a stroll in the park, nothing more than a training run and for that, they paid the ultimate penalty. They can produce good football and still win the Premiership but they would have learnt a lesson like no other.
As for the Swans ? they knew that there was no time like the present to produce.
The game seemed a mirror image of the Hawthorn one where the Swans had everything and everyone to play for and the Hawks nothing only for the Hawks to come out and play leaving the Swans dawdling in the blocks. This time it was the Swans who produced the goodes.
Brisbane or Adelaide ? the players want Adelaide to make up for 1998 and five weeks ago but this time they have the weight of expectations on them. No longer can they camouflage themselves as underdogs but if they stay positive and continue to lift that noble banner high, the fairytale 2003 season will continue.
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