Sydney concede they were lucky to escape with four premiership points from their only clash with Essendon this AFL season.
Expectations are high that September will deliver something special in a year stacked with momentum shifts, unbelievable upsets and incredible games.
The Swans' smash-and-grab victory over the Bombers at the SCG, where the two sides return for an elimination final next Saturday, was among the most astonishing matches in 2017.
The hosts prevailed by one point in round 14, with Gary Rohan slotting his set shot from the goal square after the final siren.
The Bombers had been on track to complete an epic come-from-behind win themselves, booting seven consecutive goals to hit the front with 10 minutes remaining.
The visitors pushed it out to a 19-point lead but the Swans somehow rallied, kicking two goals in the final 80 seconds.
Vice-captain Dan Hannebery concedes Sydney will have to do a lot better to extend their season beyond the first week of the finals.
"We probably didn't deserve it in a way, the way we won," Hannebery recalled.
"They probably should have beaten us ... but we were able to snatch it.
"We played pretty well for two and a half quarters then we were pretty average ... we'll look at that because we were pretty poor."
Hannebery added the result was a key milestone in his club's run of 14 victories from 16 consecutive games. It lifted the Swans into the top eight for the first time this year.
"It was a win that really built a lot of belief, knowing that we could come back from those sort of situations," he said.
Hannebery's side will start the shortest-priced favourite of the four teams expected to triumph next week.
Sydney have won their past seven clashes with Essendon, the club's best-ever streak against the Bombers.
"Essendon are in outstanding form. They're as dangerous as any side on the turnover," Hannebery said.
"If you let them play the way they want to play, they're as dangerous as any team."
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