An emotional return to Sydney awaits outgoing Swans coach Paul Roos after his side secured a home AFL final with a 16.10 (106) to 10.8 (68) victory over the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Saturday night.

Roos received the perfect present for his 200th game at the Swans helm as Sydney blew away the Lions in a barnstorming third term to lock in an opening finals clash with Carlton at ANZ Stadium.

Sydney gave a taste of what the Blues can expect when the Swans thrashed Western Bulldogs last round by 44 points in a fitting farewell to the SCG for Roos and retiring co-skipper Brett Kirk.

But the Swans will be hoping to have saved their best 2010 effort in Sydney for last after holding out a plucky Lions outfit in front of 24,789 fans to record their fourth straight win.

They may have had a nightmare season but the Lions looked determined to make an impact on the AFL finals with a spirited first half performance.

Knowing Sydney needed a victory to secure a home final, the Lions surprisingly clawed their way to a 6.5 (41) to 6.4 (40) halftime lead.

But the Swans shifted into another gear in the third term, banging in five unanswered goals to grab an 11.9 (75) to 6.7 (43) lead.

The Lions ensured some nervous moments when they drilled home the first two goals of the fourth through Pearce Hanley and Brent Staker.

But the Swans weren't to be denied, ensuring they avoided a daunting first round finals trip to Subiaco against Fremantle.

And they are not finished with yet, after providing a fitting tribute on Saturday night to Roos who became the first Swans coach to reach the milestone.

It also extends his impressive record since taking over the reins from Rodney Eade midway through 2002.

Since then he has taken the Swans to the finals every season except for 2009, including the 2005 premiership.

Yet another loss ensured a frustrating end for the Lions, who won the first four rounds before inexplicably dropping 13 of the next 14.

And it was hardly a fitting tribute for stand-in Lions captain Jed Adcock, who marked his 100th AFL game.

Kieren Jack was inspirational for the Swans, kicking three goals and grabbing an equal team high 26 touches while Trent Dennis-Lane also kicked three majors for Sydney.

For the Lions, Jared Brennan kicked two goals while Rising Star award hopeful Tom Rockliff grabbed 25 disposals.

Largely written off ahead of 2010, Roos couldn't hide his pride after Sydney locked up fifth spot with 13 wins.

And they did it on Saturday night without key players Daniel Bradshaw, Tadhg Kennelly and Daniel Hannebery.

Bradshaw (knee) was eased back through the reserves while Kennelly (knee) and Rising Star award hopeful Hannebery (back/hamstring) were rested as a precaution.

"I think it has been an amazing effort by the players and the club," Roos said.

"I think the way the players have responded over the last four weeks is exceptional."

Asked what he said with the heat on at halftime, Roos said: "We just talked about doing the things we have done well over the last three weeks - pressure and tackling.

"We lifted in those areas in the second half and that was the difference.

"I thought it was good that we had something to play for.

"It meant the players lifted, the stakes were pretty high."

But Roos was not thinking too much about his coaching milestone - yet.

"When you are playing 200 it is a big thing, but I will reflect on my coaching career when it finishes - not before that," he said.

Meanwhile, Lions coach Michael Voss rated the Swans as "genuine finals material".

"They are pretty sharp. And he (Jack) is the player at the moment," he said.

"We couldn't get the ball (in the second half), they put the brakes on and that's all she wrote."

Voss will now head a sweeping club review with CEO Michael Bowers while assisted by independent experts John Reid and Terry Coyne.

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