The visitors dominated after quarter-time to prevail 15.16 (106) to 8.12 (60) in an impressive performance that lifts them to a 6-2 record for the season.
Franklin had a day out for the Hawks, finishing with six goals to take his career tally past 400, adding 28 disposals and nine marks in a virtuoso display.
Luke Hodge, Grant Birchall and Liam Shiels were also prominent for Hawthorn.
The Swans had hoped to push their own top-four credentials in the match, but instead have slipped back into the pack with four wins, three losses and a draw from their opening eight games.
Dan Hannebery finished with 27 possessions, while Nick Malceski impressed in his first game back following a second LARS knee surgery and Ben McGlynn kicked three goals, but the Swans were held to just three goals after quarter-time.
The Sydney Swans had dominated recent matches between the two sides at the SCG, winning 10 of the past 11 dating back to 1996, with the lone defeat a 17-point loss in round 19, 2003.
But it was a tight opening, with the teams sharing the opening six goals before a McGlynn goal after the quarter-time siren gave the home side a 4.1 (25) to 3.2 (20) edge.
Hawthorn then dominated the second term but failed to capitalise, with a Hodge goal in the third minute of the term putting the visitors in front before they reeled off five straight behinds.
The Swans were smashed 15-8 in inside 50s and managed just three behinds in the second quarter, but they were still well in touch at the main break, trailing 4.8 (32) to 4.4 (28).
Hawthorn took full advantage of their superiority in a sensational third quarter however, kicking seven goals to two to march to a match-winning 36-point lead at the last change.
Influential players
Ben McGlynn kicked three goals to take his tally to 16 for the year and Dan Hannebery picked up 27 touches, but it was a tough day for the home side.
What it means
The Sydney Swans are still searching for consistency and have three of their next four games on the road, including key games against the Kangaroos, Brisbane Lions and Richmond.
What the coach said
John Longmire: "I just think we can be a good team if we give maximum effort for four quarters. If we don’t give maximum effort for four quarters, we fall back into the pack. We have to make sure we come to play to be a competitive team and we didn’t do it today."
Toyota AFL Dream Team highlight
Sydney Swans: No player in red and white managed 100 points, with Ryan O'Keefe the Swans' best with 92 points.
Next four:
Sydney Swans: Three of the team's next four games are on the road, with matches against North Melbourne (Round 10), Brisbane Lions (Round 11) and Carlton (Round 13). The one home fixture is against Richmond in Round 12.
Match Details
Sydney Swans 4.1 4.4 6.8 8.12 (60)
Hawthorn 3.2 4.8 11.14 15.16 (106)
GOALS
Sydney Swans: McGlynn 3, Shaw, McVeigh, Malceski, Everitt, Jetta Hawthorn: Franklin 6, Hodge 2, Roughead, Osborne, Burgoyne, Bateman, Shiels, Rioli, Breust
BEST
Sydney Swans: Goodes, Richards, McGlynn, Hannebery, Malceski, Grundy
Hawthorn: Franklin, Hodge, Rioli, Burgoyne, Birchall, Shiels
INJURIES
Sydney Swans: nil
Hawthorn: Max Bailey (head knock)
SUBSTITUTES
Sydney Swans: Lewis Jetta replaced by Luke Parker in the third quarter
Hawthorn: Max Bailey replaced by Luke Breust in the fourth quarter
Umpires: Chamberlain, Meredith, Mollison
Official crowd: 33,136 at SCG
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of the club
