FOLLOWING a bruising victory over Fremantle, Swans coach John Longmire was gratefully accepting a week off to rest his tired players before preparing for a home preliminary final in a fortnight.
The Swans welcomed back five key players into the side against the Dockers, with Lance Franklin, Mike Pyke, Josh Kennedy, Craig Bird and Ben McGlynn all recalled this week.
There were some signs of rust, but for the most part they all played their roles in the 13.15 (93) to 10.9 (69) qualifying final victory at ANZ Stadium, and will now benefit from an extra week off.
Longmire felt some of the Swans' ball use left plenty to be desired in the first half, but his troops were able to gradually get on top, particularly in a pivotal third term.
The Dockers kept coming and were within 10 points early in the final quarter before the Swans responded, with Franklin kicking two crucial goals in a three-minute span.
The Swans will now play either Geelong, North Melbourne or Essendon in a preliminary final back at ANZ Stadium on Friday week.
"It's terrific," Longmire said. "To get into another prelim final, they're a very difficult thing to do.
"We now get the opportunity to plan the next couple of weeks and get ourselves in the best possible shape and work on the things we need to work on … and get ready for that prelim final.
"We know that's not going to come easy either, but we give ourselves a real chance with a home prelim final and prepare the best as possible over the next two weeks."
Longmire wasn't prepared to speculate on any possible outcome for the hamstring of damaging defender Nick Malceski who was subbed out at quarter time.
"He just felt his hamstring a little bit when he kicked around the body," Longmire said.
"He's felt it before a bit and we thought he'd be right and keep him going, but he was a bit sore still so we subbed him out.
"We'll see how he goes during the week.
"You don't know whether it's just tight or … you just don't know.
"I'm sure a few people will write what they want about it, but until you get a scan, we don't know."
Longmire was also asked about the troublesome ANZ Stadium surface, which came under fire following the Swans' loss to Richmond at the ground in round 23.
Ground staff had done significant work on the surface in the days since and Longmire was more than content with the outcome.
"I thought it was all right," he said.
"We walked out on it before the game and I thought it was pretty good.
"Not having the rugby league on a Thursday night makes a big difference and they'd obviously done a fair bit of work since the last time we played here.
"It needed work and it was done, which is good."
