Supporters were treated to a first-hand glimpse into what's tracking as a bright future for the Sydney Swans during Saturday night's huge semi-final win over Adelaide.

Underlining the win at the SCG, which carried the Swans through to a preliminary final against Geelong on Friday night, was the performance of a number of emerging types, in particularly Isaac Heeney.

Heeney gathered a career-best 32 disposals in a role fulfilled further up the ground than what the 20-year-old has been used to.

Having played most of his 35 games prior closer to goal, Heeney was used predominately as a wingman showcasing his class and elite skill going at 75 per cent disposal efficiency.

Heeney, who won the Club's Rising Star Award last season, has been tipped to eventually make the move into the midfield once his 'apprenticeship' was complete.

But the starring performance, which also included nine marks, five inside 50s and a goal, was the surest sign yet that that time may be closer than what many think.

On his own form, Heeney said it was nice to have a tidy impact on such a big stage.

"It was good to get around the footy - sometimes when you go forward you can get lost," Heeney told SwansTV post match.

"It was good to get around the footy and get my hands on it. I felt like was I clean and disposed of it pretty well.

"I was also able to sneak forward and kick a goal, so all in all it was a great night."

Heeney wasn't the only youngster to step up, with Tom Papley's thrilling four-goal performance one of many highlights in the 26-point win.

Papley complimented veteran forwards Lance Franklin and Ben McGlynn, the three combining for 11 of the Swans' 18 goals for the game.

All three, in fact, hit the scoreboard during the Swans' breathtaking opening quarter which ultimately was the difference between the two semi finalists.

The home side helped themselves to seven goals in the opening 33 minutes - the Swans' total goal tally in each of their past three finals.

It was their best start to a game since Round 22, 2014, and their best ever start to a final.

Heeney said the unrivalled start was the ideal response from the previous week's qualifying loss to GWS.

"Last week was obviously pretty disappointing. To go out there and perform like that was almost embarrassing," he added.

"To come out tonight and put in a four-quarter performance was what we needed and definitely special.

"Energy and intensity was well off last week, so to play like we did (on Saturday night) and start like we did was pretty important and massive for our victory.

"Our midfielders focused on winning the hard-ball gets and then we were lucky enough to put a few goals on early."

The Swans have a short turnaround before Friday night's preliminary final at the MCG.