Rome wasn't built in a day and neither is an AFL midfield.
While the suspensions were the catalyst for change, smaller moves had been afoot in the weeks and months beforehand.
No midfield has been hotter than the Swans over the past five games.
Two weeks ago, Sydney surprised the AFL by comprehensively beating reigning premiers Brisbane.
Instead of star power, the Swans are relying on structure and balance to drive them deeper into the finals.
The Swans have placed themselves firmly in the camp of the former.
In their first game after the suspensions, Sydney tried new combinations, testing them in real footy.
Sydney relied heavily on Heeney, Warner and Jordon to drive their midfield engine.
Midfield balance is often a delicate beast.
If a team is too aggressive, it can be beaten back the other way in transition.
As a result, replacing Heeney, Warner and Jordon needed some lateral thinking.
Excluding ruck Brodie Grundy, the player is James Rowbottom.
Shuffled in and out of different roles, Rowbottom's flexibility within and between games has become a strength.
"I just do what the team needs," Rowbottom told reporters ahead of the qualifying final against the Lions.
Since their round-20 win over cross-town rivals GWS, Gulden has quickly re-emerged as Sydney's attacking focal point.
As a result, the Swans look to get the ball into Gulden's hands more often than any other player in the league.
Billy Cootee, Tom Hanily, Jesse Dattoli and Caiden Cleary have made leaps in relatively unsung roles around the outside midfield and high half-forward.