For a good chunk of 2015 Swans coach John Longmire has been calling for strong starts and even stronger finishes to matches.

Saturday’s 89-point win against GWS set a benchmark in both of those areas and would have satisfied Longmire as much as the Swans’ elevation to outright fourth spot on the ladder.

The Swans’ blistering start of six goals from six scoring shots was a season-best (equal with the 6.2 effort v Geelong in Round 7), with three of them kicked by Kurt Tippett.

The Swans enjoyed a 22-point lead going into quarter-time and set the wheels in motion for what would be a resounding win at Spotless Stadium.

Despite a lacklustre second term, the Swans produced a season-best second half by kicking 13 goals to the Giants’ three including seven goals to one in the third term alone.

The dominance contributed to the Swans’ biggest score of the season to date (133), an encouraging stat on the eve of finals and in the absence of leading goal-kicker Lance Franklin who had kicked 19% of the side’s goals before Saturday.

Tippett, who finished with 5.3, was the best forward on the ground despite also collecting 20 hit outs in the ruck while Sam Reid also provided a strong target (10 marks, one goal) across half-forward.

Harry Cunningham (three goals) was lively, Josh Kennedy (two goals) capped off his best-on-ground performance, while Kieren Jack (two goals each) was also lively around goal.

All three helped establish an unassailable 62-point lead at the final break before James Rose’s incredible three-goal final term.