The Sydney Swans have been on fire in 2022 and have a real chance of winning their first flag in ten years.

After missing the finals in 2019 and 2020, it seemed the Swans would have to embark on a big rebuild before being considered an AFL powerhouse as they had been for the better part of the past decade.

During that period, the Swans won a combined 13 games but were back on the up as soon as 2021, with the emergence of young players with great potential and veterans returning to form.

They ended up finishing in sixth place on the ladder but were eliminated by local rivals, the Greater Western Sydney Giants, in the first week of the finals, suffering a heartbreaking 74-73 loss.

In 2022 they have built on the successes of last season and, with one round to go, find themselves in second place on the AFL ladder, tied on points with the Melbourne Demons, Brisbane Lions and Collingwood Magpies.

Sydney has all but assured themselves a top-four finish and will be confident that they can beat St Kilda on the final day of the regular season, although the Saints are still in with a chance of making the top eight, meaning they will be desperate to win.

AFL legend Leigh Montagna recently appeared on the show First Crack and had nothing but praise for John Longmire’s squad.

“I must admit I’ve been a bit slow to come to the party with Sydney,” said Montagna.

“We’ve known about their offence and their ability to score off a turnover.

“We’ve sort of always raved about their defence, particularly with the (Paddy and Tom) McCartins, but what I’ve been impressed with is they’re continually improving their contestable pressure game.

“At the start of the year, it was inconsistent, and we touched upon it in games and even in quarters, but the last six or eight weeks, their contestable and pressure numbers have been through the roof, which is now elevating them.”

If the Swans do go on to win the AFL Grand Final, it will be their sixth premiership in club history.