A dominant second half at the SCG on Saturday helped the NEAFL Swans run away a 66-point win over NT Thunder and stamp their authority on the rest of the competition.
Trailing by four points at the half-time break, Sydney booted 14 goals to three to overwhelm the visitors 19.13 (127) to 9.7 (61).
The victory put the NEAFL Swans three games clear at the top of the ladder and kept a strong home record against last year's reigning premier NT Thunder in tact.
Boasting 16 AFL-listed players, the NEAFL Swans didn't have it all their way after the second-ranked Thunder burst out of the blocks, kicking three goals to one in the opening term.
Momentum swung, the Swans reeling missed opportunities early in the second term before the Thunder jumped out to a 21-point lead courtesy of three-straight goals.
Sydney then regained composure and kicked three of their own to go into the major break less than one straight kick down.
During the second half, the Swans swarmed the football in numbers and took full advantage when in attack.
Xavier Richards was a strong focal point kicking three goals, while small forward Tom Papley chipped in with two, reward for his forward pressure which included a tackle and smother in one passage that ended in a team goal.
They topped a list of 11 Swans who impacted the scoreboard.
That attack stemmed from the midfield where Jordan Foote (19 disposals, two goals), Brandon Jack (27 disposals) and Harry Cunningham (24 disposals) won plenty of football while Jack Hiscox provided a lot of run along the wing and half-forward line.
In defence, Aliir Aliir put his name back in the match committee's consideration with a standout performance.
With the defence bolstered by veteran Ted Richards, Aliir was a pillar across half-back and tallied many intercept marks and used the ball particularly well on the rebound.
The NEAFL Swans will now turn their attention to Saturday's clash with the Canberra Demons at Star Track Oval.
SYDNEY 1.3 5.6 14.7 19.13 (127)
NT THUNDER 3.2 6.4 7.5 9.7 (61)
GOALS – Sydney: X Richards 3 C McFadden 2 T Papley 2 J Dawson 2 M Wilson 2 J Foote S Naismith 2 J Hiscox K Galloway N Newman A Baker. NT Thunder: D Ewing 2 C Ilett 2 J Beugelaar M Hagan J Cooper S Rioli D Lewis.
BEST – Sydney: A Aliir J Foote J Hiscox C O’Riordan B Jack T Leonardis. NT Thunder: C Ilett J Beugelaar S Guilhaus S Rioli D Russell M Rosier.
