No one gave the Swans a chance. Winning a qualifying final against the two-time reigning premiers was a hard enough task, let alone doing it without the five first-choice players serving a club-imposed suspension.

The Sydney Swans face the Brisbane Lions in a final on Saturday, with five key players suspended for an all-night bender that resulted in sexual assault allegations.

Two years ago, as they prepared for a qualifying final, the Swans opened their doors to the media. Now the club has circled the wagons.