SYDNEY'S 'we beats me' mantra this year has given a host of established players a fresh look at footy.
One of those is star Laura Gardiner, whose game has transformed in 2026.
"We play more of a selfless kind of team game now. So, every week we really focus on doing our role, and our role changes every week pretty much," Gardiner told AFL.com.au.
"So, if it's (centre stoppage) it's blocking and creating a clearance for whoever that is. If it's forward, it's just playing my role forward. It just changes up."
She made her name at the Swans as a relentless inside midfielder, regularly racking up big disposal counts from bulk midfield minutes. But this year, a slight role change, and the mindset change across the board has served her well.
Under new coach Colin O'Riordan there is a fluidity in the side's midfield and forward line rotations, where players have been empowered to move between the lines at their own discretion – within reason – and although it means someone like Gardiner's disposal stats might be down, her impact is way up.
"My strengths are my strengths, and I'm an endurance athlete, so wherever I play, it's just playing to my strengths, and whether that's forward or mid, I just rotate throughout the lines, and it's pretty free to us," Gardiner said.
"We can make the calls and stuff; it's just a good way to play. If you're gassed, you can go down forward or come off if you want."
She is averaging 25.3 touches per game this year, down 5.4 on last year, but she has kicked three goals – the most in her career in a single season – and is generating more attacking play and forward 50 entries than she was in 2025.
Internally, the Swans aren't leaning heavily on these numbers anyway. It's about a willingness to work and do what is required for the greater good.
"We really reward the one-percenters and the things that don't require talent. So, all effort-based things, and I think that's the biggest change this year. Things that you probably wouldn't see outside of our four walls. That's what we really reward," Gardiner said.
"It just takes the pressure off. I think knowing that you can just bring 100 per cent effort, and I think everyone can do that on the day, it just takes the pressure off. You're not trying to be a star out there; you don't need to be. Just get done what you need to do."
It's working for the Swans. They're averaging the highest score in their history, have won more games in a single season than ever before, and have now locked away a place in finals with a round left to play.
And they've done it without some key players in the side – star ruck Ally Morphett injured her ACL in round eight, Sofia Hurley her ankle in round five, Brenna Tarrant her knee the week prior, and they entered the season without key back Alice Mitchell due to her own ACL injury.
It's a group that's "earned the right to have belief" according to O'Riordan, with that feeling coming from how they've banded together throughout the season on and off the field.
Still just 23 years old, Gardiner is deemed a veteran among a developing list, and it offers another challenge heading into the club's second ever finals series.
"We have a very young team, so I actually feel quite old," Gardiner laughed.
"I'm probably in that middle range where I need to step up leadership, and I think I can bring things that don't require talent, like my voice and just being on your toes and being ready and really communicating out there."
