Fifteen goals in torrential rain? You'd take that any day of the week.

That's the position Rhyce Shaw is taking following his side's 86-point win over Gold Coast in what the first-year coach described as "insane" conditions.

The carnage left over from the NEAFL curtain-raiser was on show during the AFL telecast with Metricon Stadium covered in boot deep puddles and patches of turf chopped up into mud.

It reflected the genuine slog the Swans and Suns endured during a wet and wild afternoon.

But with the 15.7 to 3.3 scoreline as proof, the visitors were able to tame the wild weather much better than the hosts with Xavier Richards topping the list of goal-kickers with a career-best six majors.

The defender turned swing man has booted 10 goals in the past two weeks.

Shaw said the difference was his side's ability to get back to basics and adapt quickly to the conditions.

A shot from the Swans' bench showing the harsh conditions.

"That was one of our better performances for the year," he said.

"In terms of the conditions and the way we played I thought we had a real crack. Our energy was really good, they were up and about and ready to go. Their attitude was spot on.

"It was pretty much common sense in that weather. We kept it really simple. We wanted to play hard, clean footy and attack them with heaps of pressure and that shouldn't change in any type of weather.

"The way we moved the ball was really good, just the way we took basic options and won territory."

Five goals to one in the opening quarter gave the visitors the ascendancy early on before the Suns fought back in the second. A big second half (nine goals to one) ensured the win.

It gave the Swans' midfielders first use including Dean Towers (34 disposals), Brandon Jack (28) and Jordan Foote (28) while Colin O'Riordan (29) and Nic Newman (27) were prominent across half-back.

Richards and Aliir Aliir (17 disposals) were the pillars at both ends of the ground with the Suns struggling to get the ball past the latter.

"This week was another step up for Xavier. He put on a bit more pressure, he led hard and worked hard for his goals which was good to see," Shaw added.

"Deano's was a top game. Aliir was super, they couldn't get it past him. We had contributors all over the field."

Sam Reid, six possessions and a goal, was managed under the circumstances given the key forward is coming back from injury.

It was the NEAFL Swans' ninth win of the season. They move two games clear at the top of the ladder after the Southport v Aspley match-up was called off in light of a serious injury to Sharks forward Jack Anthony.

Southport were in front at the time so the scoreline stood and subsequent four points awarded. It second placed Aspley's second loss of the season.

The NEAFL Swans will now turn their attention to Sunday's NEAFL-AFL double-header at Spotless Stadium as the Swans do battle with cross-town rivals in GWS.

Swans   5.7  6.8 13.12 15.17 (107)
Suns      1.2  2.3   3.3      3.3    (21)

GOALS – Sydney: X Richards 6, T Nankervis 3, D Towers 2, C O’Riordan, N Newman, A Aliir, S Reid. Gold Coast: J Daniels 2, M Hallahan.
BEST – Sydney: C O’Riordan, D Towers, A Aliir, S Naismith, J Foote, B Jack. Gold Coast: T McKenzie, M Hallahan, L Russell, C West, R Thompson