Sydney’s famed “Bloods” culture is rated the benchmark in Australian sport, and Gold Coast midfielder Matt Shaw says the SUNS are following the Swans’ proven blueprint in its chase for sustainable success in the AFL.

“Sydney are probably one of the better teams in the league and if you want to make finals you have to beat those good teams and the boys are hungry after that loss and to get the wins rolling again,” he said.

“I think Bluey was saying before the Swans have made 16 of the last 19 finals over the last 19 years; they’re a quality outfit and have a lot of experience in the midfield with guys like McVeigh and we’ve learnt from (them) over the last few years.

“We’ve tried to incorporate some of what they bring into their game into our own, so hopefully we can take it up to them.”

Gold Coast head into Sunday’s round twelve match focused on redeeming last week’s loss to Adelaide, but will need to do so against a rampant Sydney team beaming with confidence after their 110-point celebration over Geelong at the SCG.

Much of the pre-game talk has surrounded the Swans’ multi-million dollar forward line featuring two-time Coleman medallist Lance Franklin, Kurt Tippett and Adam Goodes.

But the opposition’s midfield brigade is equally as impressive on paper, with All-Australian players in Kieren Jack, Dan Hannebery and Josh Kennedy headlining the Swans’ premiership-winning on-ball division.

However, Shaw says his fellow midfield colleagues would be ready to match Sydney’s aggressive ball-winning ability.

“Obviously they have a quality line-up in the midfield but so do we, we will be back our mids to the hills every day and we’ve got some guns that can go in and win the hard ball then have some awesome spurts on the outside,” he said.

“… We need to start beating those good teams and will aim to do so by playing four quality quarters against them.

“Last week we saw what happens when you play tough opposition and drop off an inch, so we’re looking forward to backing up our efforts and taking it to them.”