Friday night's win against ladder leaders North Melbourne goes to show the importance of the hard ball get.

The momentum swings throughout the four-quarter arm-wrestle at the SCG was dictated by whichever midfield won the contested ball.

The Swans flexed their muscles in the opening term, both on the scoreboard and in tight, winning 13 more contested possessions and kicking six goals to one to establish a 23-point lead at quarter-time.

The tables turned in the second term with as North's ball winners gained the ascendency (+11 contested possession differential) to peg the deficit back to nine points by the main break.

The other side of half-time would prove vital and the Swans' on-ballers responded, in particularly Josh Kennedy and Tom Mitchell who had 40 contested disposals between them.

The duo were telling in helping the Swans to a +23 differential during the second half with Mitchell's individual performance (41 disposals, eight marks, five clearances, 10 tackles and a goal) earning the inaugural Goodes-O'Loughlin Medal.

"As a midfield group we had a really big challenge tonight. Up against (Andrew) Swallow, (Ben) Cunnington, (Jack) Ziebell - I thought we all stood up," Mitchell said post-match.

"They had momentum in that second quarter so we really had to dig in, especially in that third quarter we really needed to get the game back on our terms.

"I think we were able to do that and have a really good win."

That's two good wins against quality opposition in consecutive weeks (reigning premier Hawthorn and the previously undefeated North) with Mitchell among the best in both.

With a game on the road against Gold Coast next weekend, Mitchell declared the side "won't be resting on our laurels" in the hope of securing a 9-2 record before a highly anticipated encounter against GWS back in Sydney on June 12.