Sydney staged a stirring comeback and held one off, fighting back from a 32-point deficit and then withstanding a late Richmond surge to win by six points on Friday night in Marn Grook at the SCG.
The Tigers started strong, but the Swans rallied late, booting six final-term goals, which was ultimately enough to outlast Richmond in the 16.10 (106) to 15.10 (100) contest.
After an even start, the Tigers kicked seven goals in a row to build a 32-point lead halfway through the second quarter, before the Swans managed to turn the momentum back in their favour.
The Swans came back with a bang in the third term, booting four goals in a row to pare the margin back to just one goal at the final change. A Richmond goal started the final term in their favour, but the Swans didn’t say die, piling on the goals to snatch the lead back with 11 minutes left on the clock.
It didn’t stop there, with the Swans booting an extra two goals for good measure before Richmond hit back with three minutes left on the clock.
The Swans' lead was enough to be six points ahead at the final siren.
Sydney coach John Longmire said his side's stunning turnaround came on the back of tidying up the basics.
"We started winning some of those contests. Sometimes it can be all different things you look at, and we just didn't half or win enough of those contests compared to Richmond in the first half, and there were some moments we had to be a bit better and break even," Longmire said.
"We gave away free kicks off the ball and things we need to get better at, and fortunately the players got that sorted at half time and we were very good in the second half."
"We just started winning some more contests and being cleaner and better around the ball."
Lance Franklin was the star of the show, booting five and taking home the Goodes-O'Loughlin Medal for best afield, but was also involved in a tussle with Trent Cotchin.
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01:12
New Marn Grook guernsey: Duguwaybul Yindyamangidyal
GO Foundation scholar, artist Lua Pellegrini, who designed new Marn Grook guernsey describes the artwork titled Duguwaybul Yindyamangidyal which means altogether respectfully: respect, gentleness, politeness, honour, careful, altogether as one.
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"He did some pretty special things. At big moments, he was able to put his hand up and do some things that only very few players can do," Longmire said.
"He was 1v2 and a couple of times he was able to break even those contests and he was able to hit the scoreboard with accurate kicking, he played well.
"Just disappointed it was a free kick away, it was the second one we'd done. We'd had a couple of chances to go forward and have a shot at goal, twice, and that was our second one, so that was what I was disappointed about."
