Sydney small forward Tom Papley believes the Bloods culture has "shone through" over the past month as the Swans faced arguably the toughest period in their history.
Papley has been an experienced player and leader through the Pullman Hotel incident and subsequent police investigation.
The 30-year-old told the Fox Footy broadcast on Friday night that he was proud of how the group had responded to adversity.
"I think sometimes adversity does galvanise a group or friends or a club or a business. That certainly has been the case for us," Papley said pre-game for the Preliminary Final between Sydney and Fremantle.
"The football club has always been very close and then over the last four weeks it has really galvanised. From the staff to the players to the coaching group it's such a great footy club.
"The Bloods culture has really shone through the last few weeks and I'm really proud of what we have done so far."
Papley was in fine form in the Qualifying Final a fortnight ago when Sydney downed two-time reigning premier Brisbane in a 53-point thrashing.
The livewire forward booted five goals from 16 disposals to help secure the gutsy Swans win.
Sydney will be hoping to reach its eighth Grand Final since the turn of the century against Fremantle on Friday night.
