HAWTHORN has held off the Sydney Swans by five points in a gripping tussle at the SCG on Thursday night to move two games clear on top of the ladder.

A 52m goal to Cyril Rioli with 77 seconds remaining put the Hawks ahead for the final time, hanging on for a desperate 11.9 (75) to 10.10 (70) win.

It followed a see-sawing encounter in which the lead changed nine times and neither side was able to hold sway long enough to gain a decisive lead.

Five talking points: Sydney Swans v Hawthorn

The fourth quarter of the heavyweight contest continued that pattern, as the crowd of 42,314 sat enthralled.

The Swans led by five points at three-quarter-time, but Shaun Burgoyne’s 250th career goal two minutes into the fourth term put Hawthorn ahead. The Swans’ midfield giant Luke Parker, who collected 35 possessions, then returned fire with a goal from 40m out to put the Swans back in front.

Full match coverage and stats

The Swans lost Zak Jones to a leg injury as well as the lead when Jonathon Ceglar converted a set show following a 50m penalty against Ben McGlynn. Small forward Tom Papley’s one-on-one win over Luke Hodge to score his second goal allowed the Swans to wrest the lead back. 

Two behinds to the Swans saw the home side to a seven-point lead, but Burgoyne's second goal took the Hawks to within a point with three minutes remaining.

As the half-hour mark ticked over, Rioli took a mark and slotted home a 52m set shot from a tight angle to break Swans fans' hearts.

In a game that lived up to its lofty expectations, Sam Mitchell stood tall with a game-high 37 touches, ahead of seven teammates who all registered more than 20. Burgoyne, Rioli and Jack Gunston each kicked two goals.

The Swans' scoreboard pressure came primarily from speedster Gary Rohan, who kicked a career-high four goals, while Papley scored two. Lance Franklin went goalless but had 19 touches in a lively display around half-forward.

Swans coach John Longmire said the loss was hard to take.

"They're all difficult, we did a lot right for long parts of the game," Longmire said.

"(Shaun) Burgoyne and (Cyril) Rioli kicked two from 50 (metres out), they're champions and they played the big moments well.

"They're absolute stars and they've done it so many times, so it's to their credit."

Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson said his club was "under no illusions" about how they performed.

"We didn't play our greatest footy tonight, but nor did we allow Sydney to play theirs. And that's why it was such a tight contest," Clarkson said.

Rohan's first goal, and the 50th of his career, opened the Swans' account as his side won the opening term by nine points and led the inside 50 and contested possession counts by eight.

But the Hawks returned with a vengeance to keep their long-time rivals to zero goals and one point in a dominant second quarter.

WATCH: The final two minutes

Small forwards Rioli (two goals, 17 possessions) and Paul Puopolo (one goal, 18 possessions) fired up to give some of the Swans' younger backmen a schooling, as John Longmire's League-best defence struggled to get out of their half despite Franklin's best efforts.

However the 11-point half-time lead didn't hold as the Swans rediscovered their efficiency.

Papley booted the Swans' first goal since the opening quarter before Rohan brought the scores level and then kicked the Swans clear with his third and fourth majors. 

With everything on the line in the fourth, Papley helped the Swans gain the ascendancy before Shaun Burgoyne kicked a goal to set the stage for Rioli to launch the match-winner.

The Hawks lost the inside 50 count 54 to 49 and contested possession by nearly 40, but made the most of their chances throughout a torrid encounter to ensure their 13th win of the season and continue their unbeaten run, which stretches back to round nine, when they lost to the Swans at the MCG.

In a sour note for the Hawks, Hodge could attract the ire of the Match Review Panel for a sling tackle on Callum Sinclair.

MEDICAL ROOM:
Sydney Swans: Swans backman Zak Jones was carried off the ground in the final quarter grimacing after suffering an ankle injury. Kieren Jack spent much of the latter part of the game nursing a knock to his right leg but saw out the contest.

Hawthorn: Hawthorn appeared to emerge from the game unscathed. 

NEXT UP:
Sydney Swans: After consecutive clashes with top-six sides, the Swans face the Blues at the SCG next Saturday afternoon before facing a struggling Fremantle the following week in Perth.

Hawthorn: Hawthorn starts what appears a friendly run home with a clash with Richmond at the MCG, followed by Carlton and Melbourne.

SYDNEY SWANS      4.4    4.5    8.6    10.10  (70)
HAWTHORN             3.1    6.4    7.7     11.9   (75) 

GOALS
Sydney Swans: Rohan 4, Papley 2, Towers, Kennedy, Sinclair, Parker
Hawthorn: Rioli 2, Gunston 2, Burgoyne 2, Lewis, Hill, Puopolo, O'Rourke, Ceglar
 
BEST 
Sydney Swans: Parker, Rohan, Kennedy, Grundy, Mills, Mitchell
Hawthorn: Mitchell, Burgoyne, Rioli, Lewis, Gibson, Hill
 
INJURIES 
Sydney Swans: Jones (ankle)
Hawthorn: Nil
 
Reports: Nil
 
Umpires: Donlon, Farmer, Ryan
 
Official crowd: 42,314 at the SCG