The Sydney Swans have won their ninth game in succession, fighting back from a 26-point deficit midway through the second quarter to defeat Richmond by 11 points at the MCG on Friday night.

The premiership favourites looked listless during the first 50 minutes of the match, but two goals just prior to half time dragged them back into the contest.

Having hit the front in the third term, the Swans fell a point down by three-quarter time, but they lifted again when it mattered most, winning 9.8 (62) to 7.9 (51) and improving their 2014 record to 10-3.

"It wasn't a great game of footy," Swans coach John Longmire admitted. "In the first 10 minutes we weren't playing anywhere near the level we wanted to.

"We only had one tackle in the first 10 minutes and they had a lot of uncontested possession. Normally we're a lot better at closing that down.

"Fortunately, at half-time we were only 14 points down.

"Some players really lifted in the second half. We just willed ourselves over the line without playing well."

The clash was full of statistical anomalies. Richmond finished with 401 disposals to 332, yet the Swans ended with 46 inside 50s to 37.

Star forward Lance Franklin, who had an entertaining duel with Tigers defender Alex Rance, was among the heroes for the red and whites, booting four vital goals in what was a low-scoring scrap.

Franklin kicked two in the second quarter, one from long range in the right pocket and another from 45m out in the left pocket.

He then handed the Swans the lead early in the final quarter with a clever snap from close range.

Franklin then finished things off with an accurate set shot after receiving a holding free kick against Rance with six minutes remaining, sealing a match that always looked Sydney's to lose after half time.

Kieren Jack and Sam Reid, who both kicked two majors, were the other multiple goal-kickers for the winners.

Having been quiet in the first half, midfielders Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker and Jarrad McVeigh came to life after the long break, and all played a crucial role in the Swans' victory.

Debutant onballer Zak Jones picked up nine touches and laid six tackles after being subbed into the game early in the third quarter when Rhyce Shaw suffered a left ankle injury.

Richmond was left to rue yet another case of what might have been.

The Tigers flew out of the blocks, snaring an 18-point quarter-time lead.

At that point, they led the disposal count 115 to 58. Trent Cotchin had 14 touches to his name and Dustin Martin nine.

It was more of the same early in the second term, and Richmond led six goals to two when Brett Deledio dribbled one though at the 17-minute mark.

However, the Tigers only kicked one more goal, which came when Anthony Miles dobbed his second from 50m out after the three-quarter time siren.

Damien Hardwick's men refused to give in during a rugged final term, but they just didn't have the class to drag themselves over the line.

"Sydney's intensity in the third quarter (changed the game)," Hardwick said. "I think it was 15 inside-50s to none at one stage.

"We held the dam wall there for a little bit, but they got (three) goals, which brought the game back into their domain a little bit.

"We won a lot of areas, but the scoreboard is the one area that's deserting us at the moment."

Coleman Medal leader Jack Riewoldt finished with 2.2, while Miles also finished with two goals. 

After setting a career-best with 22 possessions at half time, Cotchin's influence waned, but he still finished with 33 touches to be one of four Tigers with 30-plus possessions along with Martin (a game- and career-high 36), Brandon Ellis (35) and Bachar Houli (33). 

By contrast, no Swans player had 30 possessions, but the side did enough collectively to grab four points on a night when they were a long way off their best. 

With their fifth loss in the past six games, the Tigers have slumped to 3-10 and will spend another week in the bottom four. They play St Kilda at Etihad Stadium next weekend.

The Swans will be out to avenge their round one loss to Greater Western Sydney when they host the Giants at the SCG.