How Sydney Swans managed to rebound during season from hell

From one of their lowest points this century to suddenly having momentum, Justin McInerney reveals the exact moment everything changed for the Swans.

The Swans are treating every match for the rest of the season like a final as they continue to build on the lessons from their pre-sunrise beach session and mount an unlikely finals charge.

Following a poor start to the year, Dean Cox’s side are trying to catch up with the contenders and currently sit two wins outside of the top eight. Most predictions suggest teams will need at least 13 wins to make finals, but 14 to guarantee their place, meaning the Swans can realistically only drop one more game in 2025.

And after two wins in a row, they’re set to face their most important challenge yet against an in-form Western Bulldogs side at the SCG. A win against the Dogs and suddenly the Swans will have all the momentum, and be a side other teams are scared to face on the run home.

For Swans livewire Justin McInerney, he knows it’s a position of their own making, but one they are excited to take on.

The good times are back at the Swans but they know there’s a lot more work to do. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“In terms of our schedule going forward, it’s a massive game in the scheme of things,” McInerney said.

“I think (finals-like) is exactly what it is. We’ve only got ourselves to blame for putting ourselves in this situation. But hopefully now we can do something about it and go forward in the right way.

“Everyone knows the situation we’re in. But you can only take care of what you’ve got in front of you each week.

“I don’t watch too much footy. But I enjoy watching footy when we have someone to cheer for if we need a result to go our way.”

The Swans hit rock bottom in their season during their humbling 90-point loss to Adelaide at home in round 12, but their response since then has given cause for optimism.

The Swans’ response since their loss to Adelaide has given the team a chance of competing in 2025, but their biggest challenges are still to come. Picture: Phil Hillyard

It started with a solid outing against Richmond, before coming off the bye and producing their most dominant showing yet in 2025 against Port Adelaide.

While they were boosted by the return of Errol Gulden and Tom Papley, a complete attitude reset has also revived the Bloods’ attitude of old. And McInerney believes it started with the dawn session the morning after the defeat to the Crows.

“It wasn’t ideal, especially for me because I hate the morning and I wasn’t thrilled with it at all,” McInerney said. “But it’s some of the things you’ve got to do.

“We put ourselves in that situation. So it was good and it gave us a little clip across the chin, and the boys have looked forward ever since.

“We changed a bit with our training and our habits during the week, and we saw a direct change. To go out against Richmond and execute, and then go again against Port Adelaide, I think the boys took a lot of confidence out of that and going into this week, hopefully we can do the same and get the ball rolling.”

McInerney was one of the Swans’ best in the win over Port Adelaide. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

New standards around the club is driving the renewed belief in the Swans’ chances. Picture: Phil Hillyard

McInerney is set to be integral to their chances as the firecracker in midfield. Not only does he set the tempo with his gut-busting runs and work rate, but he has also become one of the team’s key leaders on the back of the energy he brings.

It’s why it was such a blow for the Swans to be without him this season for four weeks on the back of two separate suspensions for mistimed bumps.

However, Cox paid credit to the 24-year-old for his ability to bounce back from his frustrating stints on the sidelines and challenged him “to have a big second half of the year”. It’s a task McInerney wants to take in his stride.

“I think with my role, especially when we had Paps out, bringing that energy is something that I take pride in,” McInerney said. “When Paps wasn’t there and I got rubbed out for four weeks, it potentially could have been a hurt for the team.

“It’s never ideal. You don’t want to leave them out there when you really want to be out there. But being able to stand up in moments and contribute is all you want to do.

McInerney knows he let down the team through his two suspensions and as a leader is looking to make up for lost time in the second half of the year. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“It’s been good when I’ve been on the park to be a bit more consistent this year. It’s not ideal with the suspensions, but it’s been a case for the whole team, not just myself.

“I want to build on my form. It’s good to cement myself in the side and go in leaps and bounds. But you look at what the other boys have achieved, and you want to put your best foot forward to end up like them one day.

“The (Bulldogs’) midfield is in great form. (Ed) Richards is almost the number-one ranked player; they’ve got Bont’s 250th, Libba (Tom Liberatore) and those boys have been so good for so long. It’s a great test for us that we’ve also got some good plays in our own. So, hopefully we can match them and then come out on top.”

COXS BACKS AMARTEY PARTY TO REBOUND

Swans coach Dean Cox is confident that Joel Amartey’s kicking boots will return to action from this weekend following the key forward’s day to forget against Port Adelaide.

Amartey scored six behinds and sprayed a couple of other attempts wide in the Swans’ big win over the Power. While improved accuracy could have put the result beyond doubt, Cox felt there were still impressive signs from the club’s leading goal-kicker from last year.

The 25-year-old took seven marks inside 50 during the match, where, for the most part, his direct opponent was exceptional intercept defender Esava Ratugolea. It was the equal-most marks inside 50 without kicking a goal in history; however, he is also just the second Swan in the past 10 years to take at least seven inside 50 marks behind Lance Franklin.

Amartey is ready for his chance to bounce back under lights at the SCG against the Dogs. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“We’ve had three players in the past five years take seven marks inside 50, he’s done it twice and Lance has done it once,” Cox said. “That’s the first part of the puzzle that we wanted to get right.

“And to (Joel’s) credit, his ability to lead up with the ball, the blocking off the ball, the work for each other certainly allows that. Now, it’s about finishing off his work.

“Before that game, he was above 70 per cent from set shots, so people have days like that. It’s about him trying to work on it throughout the week, which he’s done, and hopefully will rectify that tomorrow night.”

It was clear Amartey’s return gave the Swans more structure in their forward line. Their 60.8 per cent scoring efficiency was well above their season average of 47.5 per cent, with 26 scoring shots from their 51 inside 50s.

But the Swans are set to face a challenge of their own on Friday night when they take on the Western Bulldogs and arguably the AFL’s most dangerous forward, Sam Darcy.

Sam Darcy’s ability to rise above most defenders will make him a handful for the Swans on Friday. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Darcy has cemented his status as one of the game’s most destructive players with his unique combination of height, athleticism and forward craft, seeing him labelled the game’s “unicorn” on the back of his undeniable talent.

And while Cox quipped a “step ladder” would be the best way to stop the 21-year-old, he also knows it will require the effort of all 23 Swans players to curtail Darcy’s influence on the SCG.

The Swans trained under lights at the SCG as they prepare for a rare home prime time game this season. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“Sam’s been unbelievable for the Bulldogs, to what he does at the highest point, whether it’s contested, gets them on the lead,” Cox said. “He can do multiple things around the ground as well, that’s what makes him such a phenomenal talent.

“The pressure up the ground helps (stop him). But when they’re caught in slow play, it’s a really easy and strong focal point for them to kick to.

“We need to make sure that we’ve got not only one player or match-ups that are capable of trying to match or restrict him, but also we’ve got to have a team focus on where they get it.

“It’s not only about Sam, though, it’s about the way they move and obviously Aaron (Naughton) jumps at every ball that comes within 10 metres of his vicinity, so they’re very dangerous ahead of the ball, hence their scoring power.”

“I think the players have a lot of confidence that if we play the way we need to, we’re good enough to match it against most teams. We get a huge challenge Friday night against one of the in-form teams. The players have confidence, they’ve still got belief in what they can do is right, but we’ve got to put it into action now.”

Originally published as How Sydney Swans managed to rebound during season from hell