Another best on ground performance from midfielder Luke Parker and a third straight four-goal haul for Lance Franklin has helped the Sydney Swans maintain their dominance over Greater Western Sydney at the SCG on Saturday night
Parker, who was awarded the Brett Kirk medal post-match after his 30-possession night, along with fellow guns Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery and co-captain Kieren Jack, put on a brilliant four-quarter display to win the ninth Sydney Derby 14.9 (93) to 10.8 (68).
The 2014 club champion also kicked a goal, had seven clearances and six tackles in a sensational display.
In typically understated fashion, Swans coach John Longmire said Parker's start to 2016 has been "good" after the star missed the last five games of last year with a broken ankle.
"I just thought there were a couple of big fifty-fifty balls in that centre of the ground at times that he went for that helped set the tone for our midfield group and probably the team," Longmire said post-match.
"He's got a very good habit of doing that."
The GIANTS had their moments but had no effective tall forwards and, despite battling hard, were overwhelmed by the Swans.
Franklin had an absorbing duel with GWS co-captain Phil Davis, with the pair both outstanding for their respective sides.
GWS did well to stay in the game for most of the night considering the lopsided inside 50 count, with the home side eventually getting on top 67-47, although the Giants added 20 of those in the final quarter.
Coach Leon Cameron praised his defenders but said that in the end, the pressure they were placed under proved too much.
"If that stat is going against you in that way, then they've probably had the better of you, and they did," he said.
"I thought our backs really held up well and had a great duel with their forwards.
"They shouldn't (have to) defend that many times and if you're going to do that every week you're not going to win."
Swans midfielder Tom Mitchell grabbed the opening goal of the match almost 18 minutes into the first quarter as both sides struggled to bring the ball inside 50 with any effectiveness, thanks mainly to the immense pressure being placed on the ball carrier.
When Dan Hannebery marked and kicked truly early in the second term the home side held a handy 19-point buffer, before Dylan Shiel ignited the GIANTS.
The explosive runner was involved in both of his side's first two goals to Stephen Coniglio and Rhys Palmer, with the Swans unable to contain his power running, and another goal to Jon Patton gave the visitors three in a row in seven minutes.
A Ryan Griffen behind had GWS in front briefly, but a second for Hannebery just before half-time put his side back on top by a solitary goal, despite the Swans dominating the inside 50 count 35-18 in the first half.
After a lap of honour from retired champ Adam Goodes and 2012 premiership teammate Mike Pyke during the break, the Swans again struggled to turn the dominant inside 50 count into goals in the third term.
With Heath Shaw, Davis and Joel Patfull resolute in defence, the GIANTS maintained the pressure, but with Isaac Heeney busy and Franklin kicking his second, they pushed their advantage to 15 points at the last change.
With the game on the line it was the home side's leaders who stepped up.
Goals to Franklin and Parker, along with youngster Tom Papley inside the first seven minutes of the quarter blew the margin out to 31 points, but just when the GIANTS looked done, they roared back with three consecutive goals of their own.
From there it was the Swans' experienced stars who rose again, with Franklin's fourth and Kurt Tippett sealing the win.
MEDICAL ROOM
Aidan Corr should be right to face the Power next week after recovering from a rolled ankle he suffered in the first term. The key defender hobbled from the ground with the GWS physio but returned to the game after quarter-time and was solid in defence.
NEXT UP
It's a NSW versus South Australia showdown in round four, with the Swans heading across to Adelaide for a massive clash against the Crows on Saturday night, and the GIANTS on the road for a home game against Port Adelaide in Canberra.
Adam Goodes and Mike Pyke did a lap of honour at half-time. Picture: AFL Media
SYDNEY SWANS 2.3 5.4 8.7 14.9 (93)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 0.2 4.4 6.5 10.8 (68)
GOALS
Sydney Swans: Franklin 4, Tippett 2, Hannebery 2, Mitchell, Heeney, Sinclair, Parker, Papley, McGlynn
Greater Western Sydney: Patton 2, Palmer 2, Coniglio 2, Ward, Mumford, Johnson, Kelly
BEST
Sydney Swans: Parker, Kennedy, Hannebery, Franklin,Jack, Lloyd
Greater Western Sydney: Shaw, Scully, Shiel, Davis, Patfull, Wilson
INJURIES
Sydney Swans: Nil
Greater Western Sydney: Corr (ankle)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: O'Gorman, Meredith, Ryan
Official crowd: 37,045 at the SCG
