Superstar forward Lance Franklin has made a successful return from off-season surgery in the Swans' 12-point JLT Community Series win over Greater Western Sydney on Friday night.
Franklin, who had shoulder surgery over summer, booted two first-quarter goals in the 0.8.6 (54) to 1.4.9 (42) win and while he didn't have much influence after the first break, the Swans will be extremely happy to get the triple Coleman medallist through his first game of the year.
He finished the match with 16 touches, three marks and a massive bump on Giants draftee Tim Taranto, who immediately went to the bench before eventually returning to the field.
Swans assistant coach Henry Playfair, who was in charge of the team on the night, said that Franklin's output against quality opposition was pleasing.
"I thought his effort was really solid across the night, just his competing," he said.
"He impacted the game strongly early and then we probably didn't give him great supply after quarter-time, but he still kept cracking in and bringing the ball to the ground as a minimum.
"He played some solid game time and we knew he was ready for that, he's trained with contact for a couple of weeks now.
"It was good preparation and we'll monitor him going forward."
GWS had their own reasons to be satisfied despite the result, with veterans Steve Johnson (thumb) and Shane Mumford (elbow) getting through their first appearances of the season unscathed.
Coach Leon Cameron said that both men would be in the side for next week's clash with North Melbourne in Canberra to continue their preparation for the season proper.
"They'll go full bore again next week," he said.
"There was some areas they needed to be better at, but there was also some pleasing things, so I look forward to them having a good hit-out on Friday night, and hopefully that prepares them for round one against the Crows."
Sydney's wet weather made it a scrappy affair and most players on the field struggled to handle the slippery ball, with Swans captain Josh Kennedy and Giant Josh Kelly the exceptions, the pair sharing 31 possessions in the first half to be the standout players on the ground.
Kelly kicked the game's only super goal in the second quarter and called it a night at the main break, having playing most of the Giants' first pre-season game against West Coast a fortnight ago.
Kennedy thrived on the heavy deck, especially in the first half when the heavens opened, with midfield partners Luke Parker and Dan Hannebery solid again, and Callum Mills and Jake Lloyd prolific across half back.
Like his opposite number, Giants co-captain Callan Ward was in his element and finished the game with 26 hard-earned touches, with Dylan Shiel, Heath Shaw and key defender Adam Tomlinson amongst the best.
WHAT WE LEARNED
Greater Western Sydney: if Leon Cameron's three key defensive options can stay on the park the Giants coach will be ecstatic this season. Phil Davis, Adam Tomlinson and Aidan Corr showed off their versatility against the Swans with all three playing on Lance Franklin, both close to goal and up the ground. Tomlinson was outstanding in one on one contests, while Davis and Corr were also rarely beaten in the air, albeit in atrocious conditions for marking forwards.
Sydney Swans: Darcy Cameron's form might see Kurt Tippett return to his role as a permanent deep forward. The mature-age ruckman from the WAFL hasn't exactly dominated his first pre-season in the league but he's shown enough to suggest that John Longmire has to consider him for the team's second ruck spot behind Sam Naismith. That would allow Tippett, Franklin and Sam Reid to play forward, which would no doubt give opposition backlines the sweats, with Tippett also available for a cameo on the ball when needed.
NEW FACES
Greater Western Sydney: Number two draft pick Tim Taranto showed plenty of ticker when he was crunched by Lance Franklin in the second term, but came back on to even the scores with a brilliant goal just before half time. Will Setterfield was used sparingly in the first half and had little impact after the main break.
Sydney Swans: Big man Darcy Cameron did his chances of a round one debut no harm with another solid performance, the West Australian's marking on a couple of occasions particularly impressive in the wet. Oliver Florent found some footy in the second half but fellow 2016 draftees Will Hayward and Robbie Fox had limited game time and struggled on a night better suited to mature bodies, while rookie-listed defender Lewis Melican provided a strong contest deep on the likes of Jeremy Cameron and Rory Lobb.
NEXT UP
The Giants have to back up for another Friday night game when they clash with North Melbourne in Canberra next week, while the Swans are also on the move, taking on St Kilda in Albury for their final JLT Community Series match on Sunday.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 0.0.3 1.3.6 1.4.8 1.4.9 (42)
SYDNEY SWANS 0.2.2 0.5.3 0.7.3 0.8.6 (54)
SUPERGOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Kelly
Sydney Swans: Nil
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Ward, Smith, Taranto, J.Cameron
Sydney Swans: Franklin 2, Towers 2, Robinson, Tippett, D.Cameron, J.Kennedy
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Ward, Shaw, Kelly, Shiel, Tomlinson, Williams
Sydney Swans: Kennedy, Mills, Lloyd, Parker, Rampe, Hannebery
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Nil
Sydney Swans: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Fisher, Rosebury, Jeffery, Stephens
Official crowd: 2,695 at Blacktown International Sportspark
