STAR forwards Lance Franklin and Isaac Heeney have inspired the Sydney Swans to a dominant 81-point win over Essendon at the SCG on Saturday night.

Franklin had a good early duel with Bombers' youngster Michael Hartley but got better as the game wore on to finish with six goals - four of them after half-time - from his 20 possessions.

Heeney's clean skills shone in the perfect conditions, with the 20-year-old celebrating his birthday last Thursday by booting a career-best five goals in his side's 20.15 (135) to 7.12 (54) victory.

TALKING POINTS: Sydney Swans v Essendon

Midfielders Josh Kennedy (40 disposals), Tom Mitchell (37), Dan Hannebery (31) and Luke Parker (29) were once again prolific ball winners for the Swans, while the experience of Ben McGlynn and co-captains Kieren Jack and Jarrad McVeigh was also outstanding.

Essendon matched the Swans in the first half with David Zaharakis (33 disposals, two goals) and Brendon Goddard (28) winning plenty of the footy, and James Kelly and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti providing rebound from defence, but as they have done so often this season, John Worsfold's men couldn't maintain their intensity.

GAMEBREAKER: Heeney steals the show

The Bombers kicked four goals in a row with two each side of quarter-time, but the second half was all Swans, with the visitors registering just two goals after the main break while the Swans piled on 13.

It was a solid performance for the winners but there were some poor patches in the first half, which was littered with unforced skill errors and some questionable decision-making, especially coming out of the back half.

Coach John Longmire said it was pleasing that his men were able to turn things around.

"I thought our defensive efforts in the first half weren't where they needed to be, but once we started to work together in that aspect we were able to get on top," he said.


"We didn't have a lot of good players in that first half apart from Isaac (Heeney) who was charging around either midfield or forward.

"In the second half we had plenty of good players and everyone jumped on board which was great."

WATCH: John Longmire's full media conference

The Franklin-Heeney double-act was the highlight of the match and a bomb from inside the centre square in the last term, plus another from outside 50 on a set shot set the crowd alight and was vintage Buddy.

Essendon coach John Worsfold said he was pleased with the team's start to the game.

However, he said the club was coming off two consecutive six-day breaks, which took its toll in the second half as the Swans lifted their performance.

"I thought our intensity and the way we played the game in the first half was just as good as we've played all year," Worsfold said.

WATCH: John Worsfold's full media conference

"So that was really promising and the guys were upbeat at half time and ready for the contest but Sydney to their credit took away any opportunity we had to continue to play that way."

Lance Franklin celebrates a goal in front of Bombers skipper Brendon Goddard. Picture: AFL Media

MEDICAL ROOM
Sydney Swans: midfielder Daniel Robinson left the field in the second quarter with a shoulder injury and played no further part in the game. Kieren Jack limped off in the first term but after getting his right ankle checked out, came back on after the first break and finished the game.

Essendon: Jonathan Simpkin looks set for a stint on the sidelines after tearing his hamstring in the opening quarter. 

NEXT UP
The Swans head to Melbourne for a clash with the struggling Richmond next Saturday night at the MCG, while Essendon have a Saturday afternoon date with the ladder leaders North Melbourne at Etihad stadium.

SYDNEY SWANS    4.3   7.10  12.12  20.15 (135)
ESSENDON            3.3    5.5     6.9       7.12 (54) 

GOALS
Sydney Swans: Franklin 6, Heeney 5, Papley 2, Tippett 2, Jack 2, Sinclair, Hewett, McGlynn
Essendon: Zaharakis 2, Fantasia, Bird, Brown, Simpkin, McKernan 

BEST
Sydney Swans: Heeney, Mitchell, Parker, Franklin, McGlynn, Kennedy, Hannebery
Essendon: Zaharakis, Brown, McDonald-Tipungwuti, Dempsey, Goddard 

INJURIES
Sydney Swans: Robinson (shoulder)
Essendon: Simpkin (hamstring)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Nicholls, Edwards, Fleer

Official crowd: 29,527 at SCG