Sydney coach John Longmire full of praise for his side’s ‘ferocious’ attack on the ball against Geelong

SYDNEY will go into its third Grand Final in five years brimming with confidence after a 37-point win over Geelong at the MCG,

Kieren Jack and the Swans are into the grand final. Picture: Getty Images.

SYDNEY will go into its third Grand Final in five years brimming with confidence after a 37-point win over Geelong at the MCG, but will be sweating on the fitness of young tall Aliir Aliir.

Four of Sydney’s 22 players had never played on the MCG before Friday night, but were “ferocious”, coach John Longmire said.

Their ability to pile on a seven-goal-to-nil first term set the foundation on which to build the rest of the match, he said, the team making the Cats pay from turnovers to win its chance at a premiership.

“It was enormous, our pressure at the ball,” Longmire said.

Sydney players celebrate after the final siren on Friday night. Picture: George Salpigtidis

“And the way we tackled the contest was really ferocious in that first period of the game.”

Longmire said the midfield didn’t need his input following the side’s qualifying final loss to Greater Western Sydney.

They knew, he admitted, and stood up when it mattered.

Longmire conceded that the winds of change have swept through the Swans in recent years, with fresh faces front and centre, but the job at hand is only half done.

“It’s been a significant change in a short period of time, but we need to get out there and play well,” he said.

“It’s fantastic to get in and we’re really thrilled with the way we played and the way we played over the last couple of weeks. We’re thrilled to get an opportunity, and the job’s ahead of us.”

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Aliir Aliir, Luke Parker and Josh Kennedy all had knee trouble, with Aliir sidelined for two and a half quarters after an awkward landing following a marking contest.

He was spotted limping in the rooms but sang the song and celebrated alongside his teammates and will be assessed this week.

Speedster Gary Rohan had defied bone bruising just to be there, having been carted from the SCG last Saturday night, and booted two majors, earning the praise of his coach.

“He showed enormous strength to get up and get through that,” he said.

“He doesn’t need much of the ball to make much of it. That’s an important attribute to have. He’s as good without the ball as he is with it.”

Jarrad McVeigh — who missed last night with a calf injury — celebrated with his teammates post-game and was reported to be telling people he will play next week.

Lance Franklin was a standout on Friday night. Picture. Phil Hillyard

“We’ll deal with that (potential selection headache),” Longmire said.

“If they’re not fit, they don’t play.”

Tom Papley top-scored with three goals, while Isaac Heeney set the MCG alight with 28 disposals and seven tackles.

“He was really good — he was hard,” the coach said.

“For a young player to come in and play finals football and know what it’s about — it’s about being hard and strong — and he was able to stand up in the contest.”

Longmire will have a close eye on today’s clash between Greater Western Sydney and the Western Bulldogs, which will ultimately produce his side’s Grand Final opponent.

But he isn’t fazed by the notion that whichever side wins will be hunting its piece of history — the Giants looking for their first Grand Final berth and the Dogs their first premiership since 1954.

“So are we,” he said.