The GIANTS' seven-game winning streak came to an end at the hands of the Swans in a drizzly Sydney Derby XXVI.
The deadly-accurate Swans kicked 11 goals without a miss in the first half – from just 23 inside 50s – to bankroll the win, and held firm as the GIANTS made an inevitable run in the second half.
The 15.6 (96) to 12.13 (85) victory was the Swans' fourth on the trot and moves them to 10th spot on the ladder ahead of hosting Gold Coast next weekend.
Errol Gulden was fabulous for the winners, kicking two incredible goals – including a steadier in the fourth term – from his 32 disposals to claim his first Brett Kirk Medal.
Luke Parker and Callum Mills were also prolific, while Robbie Fox did a fabulous job in limiting Toby Greene, although the GIANTS skipper finished with three goals.
Sydney's first-half efficiency was remarkable, as it launched attack after attack from the defensive side of centre and converted them into goals.
In the same week that Lance Franklin retired, the young forwards were particularly impressive, with Hayden McLean (three of his four goals) and Joel Amartey (two) taking advantage of some blistering play further afield.
If it wasn't Aaron Francis intercept marking, it was Jake Lloyd's creativity or Braeden Campbell's kicking as Sydney made lightning quick decisions once forcing turnovers.
It ensured the GIANTS' defence, which had not conceded more than 75 points in their previous seven matches, had almost no time to set up.
The finishing was incredible, with Gulden's 40m left-footed checkside on the run from the left boundary almost matched by Isaac Heeney's ridiculous snap on the right foot from almost the same spot minutes later.
At the other end, the GIANTS gained repeat entry after repeat entry, and kept the scoreboard ticking, but trailed by 18 at the half.
Once the rain came, the ball pinged around as both teams attacked the contest with ferocity.
The GIANTS made a late run in the fourth quarter with successive goals to Callan Ward and Greene to get within six points, but a Chad Warner snap steadied the ship for the Swans as the held on to win.
Tom Green (38) was fantastic in his first game back from injury, while Stephen Coniglio, Kieren Briggs and Toby Bedford were also strong contributors.
GIANTS 4.2 7.6 10.9 12.13 (85)
SYDNEY 5.0 11.0 13.2 15.6 (96)
GOALS
GIANTS: Greene 3, Brown 2, Hogan 2, Ward, Riccardi, Lloyd, Haynes, Bedford
Sydney: McLean 4, Amartey 2, Gulden 2, Heeney 2, Wicks, Warner, Papley, Hayward, Florent
BEST
GIANTS: Green, Coniglio, Briggs, Bedford, Ash, Ward
Sydney: Gulden, Lloyd, Parker, Fox, Mills, McLean, Rowbottom
INJURIES
GIANTS: Nil
Sydney: Nil
LATE CHANGE
GIANTS: Finn Callaghan (soreness) replaced in selected side by Isaac Cumming
Sydney: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
GIANTS: Ryan Angwin (replaced Jake Riccardi in the third quarter)
Sydney: Dylan Stephens (replaced Logan McDonald at three quarter time)
Crowd: 19,332 at GIANTS Stadium
