"THE siren could go any second. The Swans need a goal. Nick Davis … Nick Davis … I don't believe it. I see it, but I don't believe it. Class with a capital C. He has single-handedly sent them into the preliminary final."

Anyone who heard that commentary from Anthony Hudson will never forget it. Nobody who witnessed what Davis did at the SCG that September night in 2005 would ever dispute the words. Two weeks later the Swans would be at the MCG holding aloft the premiership cup. And while obviously no one man can win a game on his own, had it not been for Davis and a most miraculous quarter of football against Geelong, the longest drought in Australian football may still be dry.

The term started with a goal to Geelong to extend its lead to 23 points, before, as the fans say: "Davis has come to savis." He kicked the last four goals of the game including that miracle one with three seconds remaining, to send the Swans to the preliminary final. They would win against St Kilda, then beat West Coast for the flag.

"It's funny, we still played another two games after that Geelong one, but that's the game everyone always mentions from those finals," Davis said.

"At three-quarter-time, Phil Mullen (player welfare manager), who everyone loves at the club, he really latched on to me and Hally (Barry Hall) and said, 'Come on you two, you've got to win us the game'.

"Things like that — that happened that night — will never happen again. … It probably won't be until 10 years down the track that I'll look at it and really remember how special that night was for me and for my teammates, and hopefully down the track it will be something that remains special to all Swans fans."

MICHAEL COWLEY