The NEAFL Swans set the tone for their AFL counterparts after smashing Redland by 127 points in Saturday's curtain-raiser at the SCG.
In what was the perfect response to the previous weekend's loss to Brisbane, coach Rhyce Shaw could not pick any holes in his side's 26.17 (173) to 6.10 (46) performance against the Bombers.
"Our intent was to bring some physicality to the contest and really work hard, and I think the boys achieved that," Shaw said.
"To a certain degree we've still got a way to go to get to where we want to be. But we definitely took a step forward on Saturday and it was a very good step forward."
Right from the outset the home side was clinical, slamming on seven unanswered goals in a first-quarter blitz reminiscent of their teammates' effort against Fremantle in the following game.
The Bombers fought back in the second term, creating more opportunities for themselves in front of goal, but the margin proved too much to peg back and the Swans' pressure proved too great to withstand.
The goals just kept coming after the break, Shaw's men piling on 15 goals to four in the second half to push the margin beyond 100 points and ensure they stayed on top of the ladder after the penultimate round of the home and away season.
The NEAFL Swans finished with a list of 15 goal-kickers, topped by midfielder Sam Fisher and Jordan Dawson who kicked four and three goals respectively.
Fisher (33 disposals, six tackles) enjoyed a day out with ball in hand, as did the likes of Brandon Jack (32, nine marks), Aliir Aliir (28 disposals, two goals, seven marks) and Dan Robinson (36 disposals, 12 contested, 10 clearances, one goal) who Shaw said has put his name back under the noses of the senior selectors.
"He's been fantastic, he's been building pretty strongly and he's been one of our best nearly every game he's played for us," Shaw said of Robinson.
"It was a huge game from him and he's looking for bigger things which is what we want to see."
The NEAFL Swans will look to finish off the regular season with a strong display against Gold Coast which upset second-ranked Brisbane in last weekend's Q-Clash curtain-raiser at the Gabba.
In the clubs' previous two meetings this season, the NEAFL Swans have come out on top by an average of 97 points. But recent results will count for very little if Shaw's men can't replicate that same intensity and endeavour seen in last weekend's win to Metricon Stadium.
"It's a fantastic opportunity for us to show just how much the four points mean and where we want to be as a team this time of the season," Shaw added.
"If our mindset is switched on, like it was on the weekend, we'll definitely give it a good shake."
SYDNEY 7.2 11.7 21.11 26.17 (173)
REDLAND 0.4 2.6 2.6 6.10 (46)
GOALS – Sydney: S Fisher 4, J Dawson 3, O Florent 2, J Hardman 2, A Aliir 2, T Pink 2, H Carr 2, J Rose 2, T Leonardis, D Robinson, B Ronke, B Jack, S Edwards, H Cunningham, S Wicks. Redland: A Christensen 2, C Cameron, J Huddy, P Yagmoor, L Rogerson.
BEST – Sydney: A Aliir, S Fisher, D Robinson, S Edwards, J Dawson, O Florent. Redland: A Williams, B Bailey, L Rogerson.
