GREATER Western Sydney's talented youngsters defied the Blacktown gloom and their cross-town rivals to serve notice of bright things to come.
Having come within a whisker of spoiling Mick Malthouse's Carlton initiation in the opening bout of Sunday's NAB Cup triple-header, the Giants outmuscled the Sydney Swans to record a 24-point victory.
The Giants made the better of slippery conditions after an earlier downpour, winning 0.7.10 (52) to 1.3.1 (28).
Toby Greene showed little signs of a second-season slump in a typically strong performance (15 disposals), while the enigmatic Nathan Wilson also displayed his talent with 11 touches and a goal.
Devon Smith (11 disposals) was solid across the two games, while Jonathon Patton (two goals) backed up his earlier starring role against Carlton.
While there was plenty of upside for the Giants, the Swans battled in heavy conditions. The reigning premiers were on the wrong end of a 35-15 inside-50 count, continuing a trend established in their earlier game against the Blues.
Where Kevin Sheedy's men moved the ball quickly, the Swans lacked both overlap run and conviction in attack.
Jesse White's goal provided a first-half highlight for the Swans. The big man scooped up the ball in the wet, fired a handball, ran hard to receive the one-two and bombed home from outside 50.
Luke Parker (11 touches) was the Swans' best, while 2012 draft pick Dean Towers added a late flash of brilliance, accelerating through congestion and finished on the run.
SYDNEY SWANS 1.1.0 1.3.1 (28)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 0.4.7 0.7.10 (52)
SUPERGOALS
Sydney Swans: White,
Greater Western Sydney: Nil
GOALS
Sydney Swans: Lamb, O'Keefe, Towers
Greater Western Sydney: Patton 2, Greene 2, Cameron, Whiley, Ugle
BEST:
Sydney Swans: Parker, Grundy, Armstrong
Greater Western Sydney: Greene, Smith, Wilson, Whiley, Patton
INJURIES
Sydney Swans: TBC
Greater Western Sydney: TBC
Reports: Nil
Umpires: TBA
Official crowd: TBC at Blacktown International Sportspark
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
