Sydney veteran Ryan O'Keefe says the Swans' upset AFL win over Geelong on Saturday was about a "family" supporting each other.

O'Keefe said the team had wanted to use the 13-point win as a way to demonstrate their support for grieving co-captain Jarrad McVeigh, whose four-week-old daughter died three days earlier.

"We really wanted to do it for Macca, we wanted to make sure we put out a proud effort and play the way he wants us to play," O'Keefe said.

"Our thoughts can't go out more for Macca.

"It's just one of those things, we're a big family at the Swans, we do everything for each other and we've just got to keep supporting everyone.

"I just think the way every player went, the build-up for the week and went about it and were professional about it and we were able to keep everyone's emotions intact to perform how we wanted.

"So, as I said, we're a big family and we look after each other."

It was the 230-gamer's first career win in Geelong.

But O'Keefe said it was the hard-nosed, consistent way it was achieved that was more impressive than the result and a confidence-building sign leading up to finals.

"It gives us confidence that how we want to play can work and win games of footy.

"We've just got to build on it from now, this is only a small little stepping stone."

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