The first quarter was relatively even, both on the scoreboard and on the stats sheet. But the Sydney Swans took complete control in the second term, racking up 120 possessions to just 69 and 21 inside-50s to four. If not for some inaccurate kicking (the Swans' half-time score was 9.13) they would have been 10 goals up at the long break. It was a similar story in the second half, with John Longmire's men controlling most facets of the game but wasting a number of scoring opportunities, while the Demons made the most of theirs. Although the final margin was just 31 points, the reigning premiers finished with 157 contested possessions to Melbourne's 116, 62 inside-50s to 36 and 45 clearances to 25.

The Swans lined up with star recruit Kurt Tippett and premiership player Sam Reid occupying their key forward posts for the first time. Tippett was playing his third game for the Swans, while Reid was back following a month out with a left quad strain. But the new combination lasted just 10 minutes before Reid hobbled off the ground after suffering a recurrence of his quad injury. He now faces another extended period on the sidelines.

Once Reid went off, Tippett, who was back at the MCG for the first time since he kicked four goals for Adelaide in the 2012 preliminary final, was expected to be the dominant key forward on the ground. And the former Crow was reasonably impressive, snapping a great goal from near the boundary in the first quarter, although his wobbly boot meant he finished with 2.4. But Melbourne youngster Jack Fitzpatrick turned the expectations on their head by more than matching the feats of Tippett. The 22-year-old kicked a goal in the first quarter, then snapped another one early in the second term. Big Fitzy finished the game with 17 possessions, eight marks and three goals.

The Jack brothers, Kieren and Brandon, turned the MCG into their own backyard midway through the second quarter. The passage of play began when a bad Melbourne kick sailed over the head of midfielder Nathan Jones. The ball ended up with Kieren Jack on the half-back flank, and he ran it through the middle of the ground using a nice one-two with Tom Mitchell. Jack then bombed the Sherrin deep into attack, where Brandon ran onto it, sped towards the big sticks and put it straight through for the Swans' eighth goal.

Dane Rampe, who was running around the AFL Sydney competition last season, began this year on the Swans' rookie list and at 623 on the Official AFL Player Ratings table. But after some very impressive performances since being elevated onto the club's senior list, he went into the clash with Melbourne rated 493. And he will climb further after picking up 15 possessions and laying four tackles against the Dees in a polished performance across half-back. Melbourne's top-rated player, Nathan Jones, continued his ultra-consistent campaign by collecting 20 touches and booting a goal.