Sydney Swans forward Logan McDonald has reflected on his side’s resilience in their momentous Qualifying Final victory over the Brisbane Lions, in what has been branded one of the best wins in club history.
In Week 1 of the 2026 Toyota AFL Finals Series, the Swans produced a monumental upset, defeating the back-to-back premiers, the Brisbane Lions, by 53 points in front of a packed SCG crowd, 21.15 (141) to 13.10 (88).
Given no chance by most, and losing captain Callum Mills early, the young Swans outfit, including six players playing their first AFL finals match, rallied to secure a place in the Preliminary Finals.
The win has drawn comparisons to Sydney’s famous 2005 premiership win, which snapped a 72-year drought, with McDonald insisting the resemblances in performances were clear - even 21 years apart.
“(We) spoke about the Bloods (of 2005)...and then controlling what we can control and how we bounce back from that adversity,” McDonald told the More Than Footy Podcast.
“I think for the next few weeks, we're just going to focus on the basics of footy, and (it) probably has the similarities of that ‘05 team.
“Some of the efforts of the young boys that came in were awesome, (as were) some of the hits, led by Paps (Papley), on some of the better players in the comp.
“We definitely had that sort of feel about it; that gritty, gutsy, desperate sort of intensity to defend, and we were able to kick a good score off the back of that.”
McDonald was a star for the Swans in Week 1, kicking a career-best six goals as Sydney marched onward to victory.
The tall forward was joined on the scoresheet by Charlie Curnow and Tom Papley, each with five goals respectively, while Hayden McLean kicked three goals of his own.
The trio, along with McDonald, were imperative in building a formidable Swans attack.
Along with Errol Gulden’s game-high 34 disposals, Harry Cunningham’s nine intercept possessions, and Papley’s 13 score involvements, among other standout performances, it was a galvanised Swans team fired up by a rousing Sydney crowd.
McDonald praised the 37,261 strong in attendance, crediting the team’s ‘19th man’ for their role in the club’s historic victory.
“The Sydney chant when Millsy (Callum Mills) was doing the toss was spine tingling,” McDonald said.
“(You) sort of had to calm yourself down before the game.
“And then halfway through the last, when you sort of knew we were going to win, and Paps was telling all the young boys to make sure you really enjoy this moment (and) soak it in… it's a special feeling.
“It's not lost on us the effect that they (crowd) have on us, and it's a real advantage for us.
“We'll need them again for the prelim final in a couple weeks.”
The Sydney Swans will return to the SCG to take on the winner of Fremantle and Geelong’s Elimination Final in the Preliminary Final.
Yet, Swans members and fans don't have to wait two weeks for the footy fix, with the AFLW team playing at Henson Park on Sunday afternoon in the Sydney Derby.
The club is aiming to surpass last year's venue record of 7,171, with fans urged to don the red and white at a family-friendly timeslot of 2:35pm.
The Sydney Derby
Fuelled by Rivalry. United by Impact.
Turn Up. Change Her Game.
📍 Henson Park
📅 Sunday, 13 September
⏰ Gates Open: 12:30pm. Ball up 2:35pm
🎫 Get Tickets
The AFLW is unmissable in 2026.
