FIVE-GOAL hauls from Lance Franklin and Tom Papley have helped an undermanned Sydney record its most impressive win of the season, a 45-point victory over West Coast at the SCG.
Franklin (5.4) and Papley (5.2) led the way on Sunday as the Swans started strongly and answered every challenge from the reigning premiers, prevailing 18.8 (116) to 10.11 (71).
Injured backmen Jarrad McVeigh (suspected left quad), Colin O'Riordan (concussion) and Jackson Thurlow (head) all played no part in the second half.
SWANS CRUSH EAGLES Full match coverage and stats
Despite being down to one fit man on the bench, John Longmire's team dug deep to make co-captain Dane Rampe's 150th game one to remember.
Rampe, Jake Lloyd, Callum Mills, Luke Parker, George Hewett and Isaac Heeney all played key roles in Sydney's fourth win for 2019, which attracted 36,640 fans.
Franklin enjoyed his most productive outing of the season, as did the Swans, while Sam Reid booted three goals to extend the Eagles' miserable streak at the SCG.
Buddy is on! #AFLSwansEagles pic.twitter.com/ia9Bm5gJme
— AFL (@AFL) June 9, 2019
West Coast, squandering a golden chance to claim second spot on the ladder, have lost nine straight games at the venue in a horror stretch dating back to 1999.
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The visitors, who sorely missed injured captain Shannon Hurn and two-time club champion Elliot Yeo, reduced the margin to 19 points early in the third term but it was the closest they came to hitting the front after half-time.
The Swans are piling on the goals!#AFLSwansEagles pic.twitter.com/gTSxykUqLo
— AFL (@AFL) June 9, 2019
Franklin, who underwent off-season groin surgery and missed rounds 6-9 because of a hamstring injury, set the tone when he booted Sunday's opening goal after marking on the lead.
The 32-year-old, featuring in his 298th match, repeated the dose in the second term when he broke free from Jeremy McGovern and slotted the subsequent set shot from beyond the 50m arc.
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The superstar's fourth goal was textbook Buddy, coming after benefiting from Daniel Menzel's pinpoint pass and buffeting would-be tackler Tom Cole with apparent ease.
Franklin also twice dished off goals to Papley.
The cherry on top for Buddy and the Swans!#AFLSwansEagles pic.twitter.com/JuuFLVm37U
— AFL (@AFL) June 9, 2019
Intercept king McGovern and Will Schofield each spent time on Franklin but neither was able to shut down the four-time Coleman medallist.
At the other end of the ground, Eagle Josh Kennedy's duel with milestone man Rampe was also engaging viewing.
'ONE OF THE BETTER WINS' Longmire praises injury-hit Swans
Kennedy finished with three goals, having notably stood up when the Swans threatened to run away in the first term, but Rampe kept him goalless after half-time.
Both teams have the bye in round 13 but West Coast forward Willie Rioli might spend another week on the sidelines, having knocked out O'Riordan with a sling tackle in the second quarter.
Swan Colin O'Riordan was assisted off after this tackle from Eagle Willie Rioli.#AFLSwansEagles pic.twitter.com/ZtUdWpx5EC
— AFL.com.au (@AFLcomau) June 9, 2019
The Match Review Officer is also likely to scrutinise Nathan Vardy's second-quarter bump on Thurlow.
Hi, BYE Sore Eagles welcome having a week off
MEDICAL ROOM
Sydney: Backman Colin O'Riordan looked in strife after a tackle laid by Willie Rioli early in the second term, which saw his head hit the turf. The Irishman sat out the rest of the match. Not long afterwards, Jackson Thurlow went to the bench after Nathan Vardy laid a heavy bump on him and while he came back on soon enough, he didn't finish the contest. Aliir Aliir had his right thumb restrapped but it didn't appear to be giving him too many issues. Early in the third term, a sore right ankle afflicted Nick Blakey. A left thigh issue ruled veteran Jarrad McVeigh out of the clash.
West Coast: High-flyer Liam Ryan hobbled off in the second quarter but returned to play out the game. Jamie Cripps had his right shoulder looked at in the third quarter.
NEXT UP
Both sides are set for a break. West Coast will regroup and have a chance to respond back at home for a round 14 clash with Essendon while Sydney and Hawthorn will rekindle their modern-day rivalry.
SYDNEY 4.1 9.6 14.7 18.8 (116)
WEST COAST 3.2 6.3 7.8 10.11 (71)
GOALS
Sydney: Papley 5, Franklin 5, Reid 3, McCartin, Rose, Hewett, Sinclair, Parker
West Coast: Kennedy 3, Ryan 2, Rioli 2, McGovern, Darling, Waterman
BEST
Sydney: Papley, Franklin, Parker, Hewett, Reid, Heeney
West Coast: Shuey, Kennedy, Ryan, Sheed, Redden
INJURIES
Sydney: O'Riordan (concussion), Thurlow (head), McVeigh (left thigh)
West Coast: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Margetts, Hay, Meredith, Fleer
Official crowd: 36,640 at the SCG