THE SYDNEY Swans have given cross-town rivals Greater Western Sydney a rude welcoming to the SCG, strolling to a 129-point victory on Sunday afternoon.
The three previous games in this young rivalry were held at ANZ Stadium and after a sometimes-feisty build-up, the premiers appeared intent on stamping their authority at their SCG fortress.
That was certainly accomplished, with the vastly more experienced home side securing a 24.27 (171) to 5.12 (42) victory in front of 21,757 fans.
Nick Malceski orchestrated the victory from the half-back line, managing 30 disposals, six marks and 10 rebound 50s to be awarded the Brett Kirk Medal for best on ground.
Jarrad McVeigh, Ryan O'Keefe and Josh Kennedy led the way for a Swans midfield that was for too strong for the young Giants, while Kurt Tippett kicked three goals, his best in a red and white uniform.
Tom Mitchell, Jesse White and Mike Pyke also kicked three apiece.
The only real concern for the Swans was some hamstring tightness for in-form small forward Ben McGlynn, who was substituted at half-time and will have scans on Monday.
But apart from a slow start in the opening few minutes, it was otherwise a pleasing performance for coach John Longmire.
"It's probably been a while since we've been able to finish a game out that strongly," Longmire said.
"At half-time we were well in front and to be able to keep the foot down and keep playing as good as what we did for that entire game was extremely pleasing.
"That's what we're after."
The only real concern for the Swans was an apparent leg injury to McGlynn.
It was another tough day for the Giants, with Jeremy Cameron battling hard against Ted Richards, kicking three of their five goals.
Callan Ward, Adam Treloar and Lachie Whitfield toiled hard and Sam Darley showed some reasonable signs in his first game for the year.
Afterwards, GWS coach Kevin Sheedy was struggling to find positives.
"It was disappointing from our point of view," he conceded.
"We've got to be more harder at it than that. I know we made five, six, changes but the boys you bring in, they have got to play better.
"When you are playing against a very, very good midfield unit, it's very tough for those new boys to come into the midfield to do well."
Cameron kicked the game's first goal, but it wasn't long before the Swans worked their way into the contest.
A combination of poor kicking and GWS' defensive intensity meant the home side's first seven scoring shots were all behinds, however, limiting the damage.
Tippett finally broke that streak with the Swans' first goal and late majors to McGlynn and Shane Mumford gave them a 17-point lead at quarter-time.
The second term was then one-way traffic.
Discovering some accuracy in front of goal, the premiers kicked 7.2 to the Giants' 2.4 to establish a 45-point lead at the main break.
From there it was a procession, with the Giants tiring and only the home side's inaccuracy preventing an even bigger final margin.
SYDNEY SWANS 3.8 10.10 15.19 24.27 (171)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 1.3 3.7 3.9 5.12 (42)
GOALS
Sydney Swans: Tippett, Mitchell, White, Pyke 3, McGlynn, Kennedy, Bird, 2, Rampe, Parker, Mumford, Malceski, Bolton, O'Keefe
Greater Western Sydney: Cameron 3, Darley, Smith
BEST
Sydney Swans: Malceski, McVeigh, Tippett, Kennedy, Mumford, Pyke, Bird, Rampe
Greater Western Sydney: Cameron, Shiel, Ward, Treloar
INJURIES
Sydney Swans: McGlynn (leg)
Greater Western Sydney: Scully (head)
SUBSTITUTES
Sydney Swans: Ben McGlynn replaced by Jesse White at half time
Greater Western Sydney: Tom Scully replaced by Shaun Edwards in the first quarter
Brett Kirk Medal: Nick Malceski (Swans)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Fleer, Margetts, Foot
Official crowd: 21,757 at SCG
James Dampney is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter @AFL_JD
