Sydney coach Dean Cox has "mixed emotions" following the 53-point win over North Melbourne amid the ongoing alleged sexual assault scandal that rocked the club.
The Swans lost Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, James Jordon and Riley Bice for the remainder of the year as the embark on a finals series in a year they finished second on the ladder.
"Probably mixed emotions," Cox said.
"The ability to be able to turn our attention the last day or two to our football program and try to prepare our players the best way we possibly can, with the start of the week that we had to work our way through, was probably the most pleasing thing I found out of the days - the way that they responded, the energy they had. And to play the brand of footy we were after was great.
"Like I said ... to our players and to the media: everyone's emotions are different in how they show up, and we understood that. So, for my part, I said, 'I'm sorry for putting everyone through this, and we'll do whatever we can to get their trust back'."
Multiple young players stood up against the Kangaroos in the absence of the Swans stars, and will need to be relied upon throughout September if the club is any chance of premiership success.
However, Cox confirmed emerging midfielder Justin McInerney (hamstring) is unlikely to play Brisbane in the qualifying final. Forward Hayden McLean is in concussion protocols, while key defender Lewis Melican is pushing for selection.
"I thought tonight, our team and the group we put out there performed really well," he said.
"I'm not really worried about what people think about our football club in relation to how far we can go.
"Everyone is entitled to opinions, and what we've got to control is how we know we can play ... I don't see this team being in a position where we don't think we can win our first qualifying final."
North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson felt the full wrath of the Swans on Sunday at the SCG, and warned rivals not to underestimate Sydney.
"Anything can happen in finals," Clarkson said post-match.
"If you've got a desire like they demonstrated today, then good luck to anyone that takes them lightly. The whole football world has pretty much written them off, and that's when the Sydney Swans are at their most dangerous ... So, I'd be writing them off at your peril."
