This was the one they couldn't afford to lose. There were zero excuses this time. They'd clearly been the best side all year.
They weren't playing a Victorian club, having to endure the injustice of playing an 'away' grand final, as has been the case twice before. It was truly neutral turf. They had only had to travel once all finals series and enjoyed the luxury of a week off.
Their opponents had travelled three times in three weeks, and had come from outside the top four. The Swans' performance in the 2024 grand final will cut them deeper than any of their previous three. Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Reddit Email Share Whilst they were favourites against Hawthorn in 2014, they did run into one of the greatest finals groups ever assembled.
In 2016, their performance was admirable, and they weren't exactly assisted by an extremely questionable set of umpiring decisions. However, they still did lose to a team that finished the home and away season seventh. They were smoked by Geelong in 2022, but that felt like a young group running into a seasoned, experienced behemoth.
This year was different. There has been a sense of destiny about these Swans this year. The bookies' favourites since the very early stages of the season, the general consensus was that Sydney weren't going to let another opportunity slip away.
Yet, here they are again. Their fourth grand final loss in a row. The third of which was essentially over by half-time.
The last two have been particularly gregarious egg .