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LANCE Franklin and Kurt Tippett have been grabbing the attention with their goal kicking feats but the Swans resurgence has been underpinned by a defensive effort which is equally impressive.
As Franklin and Tippett get the glory Ted Richards and his group of unheralded back men have quietly become the best defence in the AFL.
DEADLY SWANS THRASH CATS BY 110 POINTS
Going into Thursday night's match Sydney were already the top ranked defensive team conceding just 73.2 points per game, holding Geelong to just 38 points on Thursday night has lowered the mark to a measly 69.7 points per game.
Since turning their season around with their win over Fremantle the average opposition score is even lower at 57.8 points. Three of those six games have been against the top four teams of last year, Hawthorn, Fremantle and Geelong.
Geelong's Tom Hawkins and Sydney Swans Ted Richards battle during AFL match Sydney Swans v Geelong Cats at the SCG. pic. Phil Hillyard Source: News Corp Australia
One of the key ingredients to the Swans success down back has the defender's ability to make tactical decisions on the field.
"Only having one runner means the communication between the coaches isn't as quick as it used to be," Richards told the Daily Telegraph.
"We need to sort out the match ups on the ground and we can't wait for the coaches communication it would be just too slow. We try to sort things out as quickly as we can just among ourselves.
"It doesn't come down to just the one person making the decision we all work together to get the match ups we think are right. We also try to work out what they are doing to us and try not to be dictated to as a defensive unit."
That tight defensive unit thrives on working for each other on the ground and in the air. It may be surprising but the most difficult task in the AFL right now it's taking a mark inside the Swans defensive 50.
Sydney lead the AFL in restricting marks in their forward line averaging just 7.4 opposition marks per game. Fremantle are second with 8.4 per game.
On Thursday night they restricted Geelong to just four marks for the whole match.
Ted Richards spoils David Myers. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Corp Australia
This was with Cats a forward line which boasts one of the most damaging full forwards in the game in Tom Hawkins.
"If the opportunity is there to help out a team mate especially with the high ball that's what we do," Richards said.
"It's a sign of when we are playing at our best when we work for each other. There have been plenty of my team mates who have stood in the space in front of the full forward and copped the hits in the back. Nick Malceski does it a lot and doesn't get the recognition for it he deserves."
Stability is another factor which is helping the Swans defence enormously. Richards, Heath Grundy, Nick Malceski, Rhyce Shaw, Nick Smith and Dane Rampe have all played in each of the Swans 10 games this season. Newcomer Jeremy Laidler has missed just one game this season.
While the stars in the forward line and midfield snare the headlines Richards and his team mates down back are happy to fly under the radar.
"One of the good things about the team is outside recognition isn't important," Richards said.
"Internally we really value each individual playing their role for the team. That's is one of the key parts of the culture we've got."
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