The Swans go into the heavy weight semi final clash against Geelong on Friday night as overwhelming favourites, despite finishing 4 positions beneath them on the AFL ladder.
Geelong finished the season on a high note, sneaking into second with favourable results in the final round, but have since seen their season teeter on the brink after a first round finals loss to red-hot Richmond.
The Swans entered the finals as the form team of the AFL winning their last four matches, before thrashing Essendon by 65 points setting a new AFL/VFL final record along the way.
Coach John Longmire was paying Geelong the respect their 2nd place finish deserved, despite their wavering form and growing injury list.
"They're a very good team", Longmire said.
"We tend to jump on and off teams at this time of the year, particularly this week of the finals.
"We were in the same boat at the same time last year.
"Their contested ball differential, tackle numbers, all things that stand up in finals are really strong, and they've got some great players and we expect it to be really hot contest".
When pressed on his plans for Dangerfield and Selwood, he was non-committal on a tag, instead backing in his midfield brigade who're in vintage form.
"His impact on games is significant. He's a massive competitor and when you get he and Selwood together, two huge competitors with talent, it's a pretty lethal combination," he said.
"Those blokes are really hard to quell because they're so good in 50/50 situations, but we've got a few blokes that are OK in the contest, and go OK in the 50/50 stuff.
"We obviously talk about Dangerfield, Selwood, (Mitch) Duncan, (Sam) Menegola – their midfield is a really good group, and we have some ideas.
"It doesn't mean they'll be implemented just yet, or that they'll necessarily work."
Captain Kennedy was best afield in the Swans' 65 point win, picking up 10 coaches votes, along with Parker who picked up 8 himself.
Both players were at their dominant best against the Bombers, combining or 59 disposals, 34 of those contested, 15 clearances and 2 goals.
When asked about Kurt Tippett's game in the NEAFL, Longmire was pleased that he lasted the game without injury.
"Look he was OK, we were obviously disappointed we lost," Longmire said.
"He was OK without setting the world on fire, in the end he got through the game really well, his ankle got through really well and that was important for him and us.
"He was able to pull up really well and train this week, and the doubts we may have had going into the game last week have been lessened, because he's got through a full game of footy."
Like what you’re getting? Want more Swans Blog, and the chance to have your input into our site and what we create? We have additional content weekly on our Patreon Service. This is your avenue, what are you waiting for? Sign up today and get more content like this.
If you'd like to support us, you can head over to our Red Bubble Swans Blog Shop, and purchase one of our hideously overpriced mugs, stickers or notebooks. Help keep The Swans Blog alive.
Since you're here...
... we have a small favour to ask. More people are reading The Swans Blog than ever, but we don't accept advertising, and don't want to do so in the future. Unlike many other news and media organisations, fan forums and fan media, we haven't put up a paywall, or displayed ads - we want to keep our content as open as possible.
The Swans Blog is an independent fan blog and community platform. Our content takes a lot of time and hard work to produce. We do it because we love what we do and we believe our perspective matters - because it may be your perspective too.
If everyone who reads our blog, who likes it, is supporting it, our future would be much more secure.
Want instant access to the latest blog and news content from The Swans Blog?
Download our Android App from Google Play today.