Sydney has drawn first blood in another year's rivalry with Greater Western Sydney, winning the JLT Series derby 12.10 (82) to 9.17 (71) at Blacktown International Sportspark on Friday night.
Dual club champion Luke Parker was a stand-out for the Swans with 26 disposals, 11 marks and two goals, while Jake Lloyd, Nic Newman and Callum Mills provided enormous drive from the back 50.
Superstar forward Lance Franklin had another absorbing duel with GWS co-captain Phil Davis, the Swan finishing with 19 kicks and eight marks, and booting the last two goals of the match to seal the result.
Lachie Whitfield was outstanding again for the Giants, controlling the play from half back and gathering a game-high 29 possessions, while star midfielders Josh Kelly, Callan Ward and Stephen Coniglio found plenty of the footy, and Jeremy Cameron kicked three goals.
The Swans kicked the first four goals of the game to be in complete control and didn't surrender the lead until Jonathon Patton nailed a tough set shot early in the last quarter, but the experience of Parker and Franklin helped them over the line against the inaccurate Giants.
Zak Jones (knee) made a steady return in his first game of the year through the midfield, while Toby Greene (toe) and Brett Deledio (achilles) also got through unscathed for the Giants without having a major influence on the result.
WHAT WE LEARNED
Sydney: The number-one ruck spot is up for grabs. After Sam Naismith went down with an ACL tear mid-week youngster Darcy Cameron had his chance to press his claims with Callum Sinclair (ankle) missing, but while he showed some good signs, it wasn't the statement game he was after. Sinclair should be fit for the Swans' trip to Perth in two weeks, so coach John Longmire has some thinking to do.
GWS: The Lachie Whitfield backline experiment is here to stay. The gun wingman has been thrown into defence to give the team some run and had another big night across half back. The former number-one draft pick still has some work to do on the basics of one-on-one play inside 50, but he makes up for it with brilliant use of the footy by hand and foot.
NEW FACES
Sydney: South Australian Ryley Stoddart didn't find a lot of the footy, but when he did get his hands on it his decision-making was outstanding at times. He's only lightly built but his speed and quality kicking skills are just what the Swans need.
GWS: For the second week running Nick Shipley showed plenty of promise, with the western Sydney draftee impressive with his composure through the midfield. Young forward Zac Langdon was forced from the field with a shoulder injury in the second term but returned after half-time and continued to press his claims for a round one debut, while big man Lachie Keeffe was solid in defence in limited game time.
NEXT UP
The Swans will be on the road when they head to Perth to take on West Coast, while the Giants have the next fortnight to prepare for their season opener against the Western Bulldogs in Canberra.
SYDNEY 4.3 5.4 9.8 12.10 (82)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 1.4 4.9 8.12 9.17 (71)
GOALS
Sydney: Jack 3, Franklin 2, Reid 2, Parker 2, Marsh, Lloyd, Kennedy
GWS: Cameron 3, Whitfield, Himmelberg, de Boer, Greene, Patton, Lloyd
BEST
Sydney: Parker, Newman, Franklin, Mills, Cunningham, Heeney
GWS: Whitfield, Ward, Kelly, Coniglio, Cameron, Taranto
INJURIES
Sydney: Nil
GWS: Lachie Tiziani (shoulder), Zac Langdon (shoulder)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Deboy, Donlon, Foot
Official crowd: 1,980 at Blacktown International Sportspark
