‘Let’s prove it wasn’t a fluke’: Why the Swans already have eyes on more glory

Eastern Swans’ name has only just been chiselled into the 2024 AFL Mackay senior premiership cup, but the club is already eager to add even more silverware to the cabinet.

Eastern Swans vs North Mackay Saints in the AFL Mackay 2024 grand final at Bakers Creek. Picture: Daniel McLean Photography

The club’s name is still only freshly chiselled into the premiership cup but the Eastern Swans have their eyes on defending the prize.

The Swans secured the AFL Mackay senior premiership on the weekend, ending a five-year run by North Mackay Saints with an 8.5 (53) to 2.7 (19) victory.

But according to their senior coach Carl Teske, the hunger is still there within the club to pursue more success.

“Let’s prove that it wasn’t a fluke. In the 55-year existence of this club it has never gone back-to-back, we’re the only club not to do it yet,” Teske said.

“It’s very early stages yet, but the general consensus among the group is that most people want to be involved in the first Swans back-to-back premiership win.”

Eastern Swans vs North Mackay Saints in the AFL Mackay 2024 grand final at Bakers Creek. Picture: Daniel McLean Photography

Reflecting on the season that was, Teske said there was a great deal of “excitement and relief” when the final siren on Saturday signalled their triumph.

“It has taken a lot of hard work over two or three years to get us to this point. We knew we were a good side this year and so to get that reward was a bit of relief,” he said.

“We only lost the one game in the home and away season, but there were a lot of close games in the mix there which we showed a lot of grit to get up in.

“That was on show in the grand final, we played four quarters of hard-nosed, well-controlled football to get the win.”

Eastern Swans vs North Mackay Saints in the AFL Mackay 2024 grand final at Bakers Creek. Picture: Daniel McLean Photography

Teske said while the Swans will take a little bit of extra honour from being the team to finally topple the Saints after their half-decade of dominance, he maintains a lot of respect for what that club has been able to achieve.

“I have a lot of friends over at the Saints and they’ve been the benchmark which we have tried to emulate,” he said.

“We rate Saints very highly, I couldn’t have cared who we played on the day we just wanted to win, but to beat their dominance is a small badge of honour. Let’s not take away from their dominance over the past five years, but now it’s our turn to be successful.”