SYDNEY has locked in its first minor premiership since 2016 on the eve of the finals with a resounding 31-point victory over Adelaide at the SCG.

The Swans were already all but certain to finish the season on top of the ladder and took the opportunity to rest key players from the side that faced the Crows, but still had enough firepower to finetune with an 18.13 (121) to 13.12 (90) triumph on Saturday night.

The ladder leaders will start their finals campaign with three consecutive wins behind them, after bouncing back from a late-season slump that had left the Swans looking shaky in five defeats from six matches.

The Swans will now host either Geelong or arch-rivals Greater Western Sydney in a home qualifying final in two weeks' time.

07:09

Highlights: Sydney v Adelaide

The Swans and Crows clash in round 24

Former co-captain Luke Parker continued his resurgence with 19 disposals and three early goals to put to bed any doubts about his critical role in the side, with the 31-year-old set to play in the 11th finals series of his career.

Errol Gulden was electric when the match was on the line and the tireless midfielder finished with 24 disposals and two goals even as the Crows tried to clamp down on his impact through the second half.

In ominous signs for their top-eight opponents, Swans skipper Callum Mills took a huge leap towards returning to his top form with 27 composed and classy touches while settling into defence.

Nick Blakey (32 disposals, two goals) and Matt Roberts (31) added run out of the back half as the Swans polished up their ball movement, while key forwards Logan McDonald, Joel Amartey and Hayden McLean loom as a threat as they combined for six goals.

00:34

‘Lizard wizard’ as smooth as ever in this finish

Nick Blakey drifts further up the ground and nails a superb effort from outside 50

The Crows put up little resistance after a burst of five majors late in the opening term, but once the Swans put the foot down the gap to the top was clearly exposed. 

Captain Jordan Dawson gathered 25 disposals and booted a goal against his former side, while Ben Keays (21, one), Matt Crouch (28) and Jake Soligo (25) also battled hard.

Key forward Riley Thilthorpe gave the Crows a glimmer of hope for next season with strong marking inside 50 and finished with three goals.

It was a free-flowing contest from the early exchanges with the Swans having one eye on the finals and the Crows playing purely for pride with a 15th-place finish already assured.

With the pressure valve released the two sides combined for 13 majors in the opening term as the Swans hung on to a narrow lead, but only the hosts were able to continue with the flurry of goals.

The Swans piled on another six goals to the Crows' one in the second term to hold a 37-point advantage at half-time as concern turned to getting through the rest of the match unscathed.

Precautions were taken before the opening bounce with a late change to rest Isaac Heeney, but the Swans minimised any further risks with Dane Rampe subbed out at the last change while Chad Warner and Gulden also finished the game on the bench.

ROUND 24 HIGHLIGHTS

  • 00:21

    Mark of the Week - Round 24

    Oliver Florent takes a courageous intercept mark in the third quarter.

    AFL
    Mark of the Week
  • 00:55

    Goal of the Week - Round 24

    Dane Rampe kicks just the eighth goal of his career against Adelaide.

    AFL
    Goal of the Week
  • 08:54

    Full post-match, R24: Swans

    Watch Sydney’s press conference after round 24’s match against Adelaide

    AFL
  • 00:20

    Team Song: Sydney

    Watch the Swans celebrate their round 24 win

    AFL
  • 07:09

    Highlights: Sydney v Adelaide

    The Swans and Crows clash in round 24

    AFL
  • 00:34

    ‘Lizard wizard’ as smooth as ever in this finish

    Nick Blakey drifts further up the ground and nails a superb effort from outside 50

    AFL
  • 00:42

    The Chad returns in style with typical running ripper

    Chad Warner receives the handball on the burst and the finish is no surprise

    AFL
  • 00:47

    Young Swan’s desperate smother earns all accolades

    Caiden Cleary gets swarmed by teammates after setting up a goal for Luke Parker

    AFL
  • 00:47

    Great Dane ramps up excitement early

    Dane Rampe continues the Swans’ super start with a stunning finish from distance

    AFL

 Key backs join the party as Swans turn defence into attack

The Swans faced little resistance as the Crows put the cue in the rack with even their key defenders booting majors among their 11 goalkickers. Dane Rampe helped get the ball rolling with the second goal of the game just two minutes after the opening bounce, as teammates swamped their former co-captain after he slotted just his eighth major in 248 matches and second since 2016. Lewis Melican joined the party on the cusp of the first change, the 27-year-old booting just the second goal of his 81-match career and his first since his debut season in 2017. Dashing half-back Nick Blakey added to the firepower coming out of defence with two goals in the second half as the Swans piled on the pain. 

SYDNEY           7.4       13.6      17.10    18.13 (121)
ADELAIDE       6.3       7.5       9.9       13.12 (90)

GOALS
Sydney: Parker 3, McDonald 3, Amartey 2, Gulden 2, Blakey 2, Rowbottom, Rampe, Florent, Melican, McLean, Warner
Adelaide: Thilthorpe 3, Taylor 3, Walker 2, Berry, Nankervis, Keays, Dawson, Curtin

BEST 
Sydney: Gulden, Blakey, Parker, Roberts, Mills, Rowbottom, Warner
Adelaide: Dawson, Keays, Thilthorpe, Crouch, Laird

INJURIES 
Sydney: Nil
Adelaide: Nil

LATE CHANGES
Sydney: Isaac Heeney (managed) replaced by Robbie Fox
Adelaide: Nil  

SUBSTITUTES
Sydney: Robbie Fox (replaced Dane Rampe in the fourth quarter)
Adelaide: Chayce Jones (replaced Josh Worrell in the third quarter)

Crowd: 36,491 at the SCG