If there was one thing the Sydney Swans’ coaches wanted from their charges on Saturday night, it was a strong start.

“We’d like it every week but, in particular, it’d be nice to kick of the season with a strong start,” senior assistant coach Stuart Dew told SwansTV pre-match.

As it panned out, that’s exactly what they delivered.

Despite some inaccuracy (3.9 to 1.1) during the first term, the Swans were switched on from the very first bounce.

Before too long the home side had amassed eight forward 50 entries before the Magpies could register one, only to end the quarter completely owning the stat 21-10.

The wayward kicking was almost a side note to the Swans’ immense pressure and contested dominance with players like Luke Parker, Kieren Jack, and Jake Lloyd helping record a contested possession count of 172 to 141 by the final siren.

The Swans had plenty of strong contributors, including Isaac Heeney. Playing as a high half forward, the rising star collecting 23 disposals and eight marks in a strong performance.

Heeney, who finished with 1.3 for the night, said the catalyst for the rousing 80-point win, the Swans’ second largest winning margin against Collingwood, was the intent and energy from the start.

HIGHLIGHTS: Sydney Swans demolish Collingwood at the SCG

“We didn’t put in the performances we would have liked over the pre-season,” Heeney told SwansTV post-match.

“We came out tonight and were on fire. Lately we’ve been reinforcing that solid start, especially against (Collingwood) who had a really good NAB Challenge.

“We had to start well, we did so we're pretty happy."

With Round 1 conquered, the Swans' best start to a season in almost three decades, Heeney and co will now turn their attention to a second round clash with Carlton on Sunday.

Experienced duo Ted Richards and Ben McGlynn will give selectors headaches after getting through Saturday’s NEAFL practice match unscathed.