THE Sydney Swans have won their first game of the season after thrashing Port Adelaide by 68 points in an entertaining, high tempo clash at a sunny SCG today.

The Swans' hard, contested style of footy was back on show as they subdued a disappointing Port winning 22.14(146) to 11.12(78).

Barry Hall, with a game-high five goals, showed he was back with a confident display harking back to Big Barry's golden days.

The win was set up by a dominant third quarter from the Swans who rolled a tiring Port 7.5 to 0.1 to take a 62 point advantage into the final break. The Bloods were never going to lose it from there as their superior fitness shone through as they kept their feet on the pedal in the last quarter.

Best for the home side were Hall, Michael O'Loughlin with four goals, Ryan O'Keefe, Marty Mattner and Jude Bolton while youngsters Kieren Jack, Jarrad McVeigh, Craig Bird and Ed Barlow used the ball well and ran hard all day in 25 degree heat.

In defence, Leo Barry kept small forward Brett Ebert very quiet.

An even spread of scorers throughout showed the Swans weren't as “Hall-focused” as they have been in the past, a stat that would've pleased coach Roos.

And even though Port dominated the hitouts, the Swans' won the clearances. However, an ankle injury to ruckman Darren Jolly mid-way through the second quarter will be a worry for Paul Roos. The return of big Spida Everitt in a fortnight will be most timely.

On a balmy day, the Swans led at each break to delight the 24,700 crowd. The Swans began kicking to the Paddington end and Roos, coaching from the bench, witnessed a seesawing first term.

The Swans scored the first major after two minutes. Barry Hall marking confidently on his chest just outside the 50m found a running Kieren Jack who blasted home from 30m to get the home side on the scoreboard for the game's first major.

But the Power using the flanks well booted the next three goals to take the sting out of the Bloods. The Swans kicked the next five to take the lead into the break.

Despite the talented Port ruckman Brendon Lade dominating the hitouts against the tag team of Jolly and Roberts-Thomson, the Swans held their lead going into the main break going in 22 points to the good.

However, if spearhead Warren Tredrea had been more accurate, the margin could've been much closer.

The Swans started the second half strongly but four points from the first four shots at goals kept the home side's lead within Port's grasp. However, McVeigh's snap from 40m pushed the lead out and the Swans sensed the win was in their grasp.

For Port, two losses from their first two games is not the ideal lead up to next week's grudge match against the Crows.

Shaun Burgoyne, however, stood up today with a dominating disposals stat with 19 and four goals.

Nevertheless, the victory will give the Swans a much-needed shot of confidence ahead of next week’s match against the Lions in Brisbane, whose coach Leigh Matthews was watching.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.

Port Adelaide 4.1 6.7 7.8 11.12 (78)

GOALS
Swans: Hall 5, O'Loughlin 4, Bevan 2, Kirk 2, McVeigh 2, Goodes, Jack, Roberts-Thomson, Grundy, Barlow,, J. Bolton. Barry
Port: S Burgoyne 4 D Motlop 2, Tredrea 2,, K Cornes, Pettigrew, Rodan
BEST
Swans: Hall, O'Loughlin, Mattner, J Bolton, Jack, McVeigh
Port: Lade, S Burgoyne, Tredrea, Rodan, Salopek

INJURIES
Swans: Jolly (ankle)
Port:Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: McLaren, Rosebury, Stevic

Official crowd: 24,700 at SCG