Swans of 2014 still feel sting

SYDNEY will draw on the heartache of grand final defeat to Hawthorn in 2014 to drive them in today’s showdown against the Western Bulldogs.

Thirteen Swans from the thumping 63-point loss to the Hawks two years ago get a shot at redemption at the MCG this afternoon.

Lance “Buddy” Franklin, playing in his fifth AFL grand final, said the pain of missing out was not forgotten.

“We haven’t discussed it as a group, but the guys that played in that game know the feeling and personally I don’t want that feeling again,” Franklin said.

“It’s a lot of hard work you put in during the year to give yourself an opportunity to play in one, and when it doesn’t fall into place it’s not a good feeling.”

Swans co-captain Kieren Jack said: “It’s something that we can draw back on. It could be an advantage, but we’re not sure.

“In my time, one of the things is, you draw from experience. It’s something you never forget. As a footballer it’s the worst moment in footy.

“You want to forget it, but you can’t do it.

“We haven’t really discussed it. It’s a different side now, it’s a different look, but the players that were a part of it, within themselves, they would have drawn back on.”

Brownlow Medal runnerup Luke Parker said that he was grateful for another opportunity.

“You take lessons from it and you draw back on it,” Parker said.

“You work all year to get to this position, it’s the best time of the year to be playing, and to miss out in 2014 was pretty heartbreaking. But that’s football, someone has to lose and luckily enough we’ve got another opportunity this year.”

All-Australian defender Dane Rampe said: “Obviously, we’re hoping to right the wrongs of 2014, even though it is a different group. I just want to get on that winners’ list.

“It’s true you never forget it, but in terms of giving you extra motivation – if you can’t get up and get motivated for a grand final then there’s something wrong.

“It was a disappointing week but this is a completely new group and

we’re hoping to write our own bit of history.”

Speedster Gary Rohan has more motivation than most, his 2014 grand final performance was nothing short of a horror show.

The exciting goalkicker gathered only two possessions to three-quarter-time of their crushing 63-point loss to the Hawthorn two years ago.

Rohan, 25, yesterday said he was still reminded of the shocking loss and was motivated by the painful memories to help guide the Swans this year.

The toughest moment came when his kick-in from fullback was intercepted by Luke Hodge and booted straight back over his head for a goal in the second term.

“You see all the replays and you just wish you could have done better, but I’ve got another chance this time and hopefully I can do a better job,” Rohan said.

“The older boys really got around us and the coach (John Longmire) really got around us and we said we will know what to expect next time and what we need to do. We’ve got a lot of self belief, so hopefully we can get it done.”

Rohan said he learned from his preparation two years ago and tried to relax more during yesterday’s grand final parade and in the hours before today’s premiership decider.

“I want to enjoy this day, but then later on just switch off,” he said.

“In 2014 I was still upbeat and excited, so the experience of that is going to help me.”