The Swans went toe-to-toe with flag favourites North Melbourne early in Sunday's match at North Hobart Oval, with the scores locked at 18-18 late in the first quarter.

But North Melbourne kicked the next 11 goals to secure the 14.3 (87) to 4.3 (27) win.

Kangaroos Jas Garner, a six-time All-Australian and one of the biggest stars in the competition, finished with 25 disposals, seven clearances, nine tackles, 438m gained and three goals in a best-afield display.

While for the Swans Sofia Hurley stood tall with 23 disposals, 15 tackles, five clearances and 546m gained.

KANGAROOS v SWANS Full match coverage and stats

Sydney lost defender Julie O'Sullivan to a game-ending right elbow injury late in the first term.

The Swans (2-6) have been hit hard this season by injuries to key players, with All-Australians Chloe Molloy (ACL), Ally Morphett (foot) and Laura Gardiner (hand) among the stars missing for Sunday's match.

Remarkably, Sydney won the inside-50 count 32-31 despite the losing margin.

The opening quarter was free-flowing football at its most beautiful as both sides went on the attack.

The Kangaroos had conceded a total of just four goals across their past four games, and an average of just 18 points per game across the season.

But Sydney had three goals on the board inside the first 15 minutes, with Montana Ham, who returned to the side this week, kicking the Swans' first before Alexia Hamilton added a double.

The goal-for-goal contest was broken open when the Kangaroos struck through Bella Eddey and Tahlia Randall in the final 90 seconds of the opening term, giving North Melbourne a 5.0 (30) to 3.0 (18) lead at the break.

Garner kicked one goal and set up another in the first term, and her dominance continued in the second as North Melbourne's lead edged out to 20 points by the long break.

The third quarter broke the spirits of Sydney, who conceded four unanswered goals as North Melbourne's ability to move the ball quickly proved critical.

It was more of the same in the last term, with Sydney's sole joy coming when Cynthia Hamilton kicked a goal with less than two minutes remaining.

Post game, Sydney coach Scott Gowans said that a 'game like that' will give his side plenty of learnings.

"You are playing the best side in the competition, they are a great outfit and really well drilled and experienced," Gowans said.

"So what we take out of it is that our effort and intensity was really good and we will get a lot of lessons from that one how you spread from contest and move the ball.

"Our tackle numbers were really good, but off the back of that we really just couldn't get going against a really good team and we take those learnings."

Next up the Swans face the Gold Coast Suns at Henson Park next Saturday afternoon. Tickets HERE.

NORTH MELBOURNE   5.0  6.2  10.2  14.3 (87)
SYDNEY                        3.0   3.0  3.3    4.5 (27)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Garner 3, O'Loughlin 3, Randall 2, Martin 2, Shierlaw, Eddey, E.King, Wall
Sydney: A.Hamilton 2, C.Hamilton, Ham

BEST
North Melbourne: Garner, Riddell, M.King, O'Loughlin
Sydney: Hurley, Bullas, Tarrant, C.Hamilton

INJURIES
North Melbourne: O'Shea (ankle)
Sydney: Julie O'Sullivan (elbow)