In the club’s first clash against a Paul Roos-led Demons side, it was the Swans who got off to the better start, booting four goals to one to hold a 21-point lead at quarter time.
Despite the Swans strong start, the scoring dried up in the second term, with the home side applying heightened pressure, which saw just one goal scored between the two sides in the term.
Key forward Lance Franklin was subbed out of the game in the third term with a knee injury, but was replaced by Adam Goodes, who took to the field for the first time in 10 months.
It didn’t take Goodes long to have an impact, with the dual Brownlow medallist booting a 50-metre bomb which nearly bounced through for a goal within seconds of taking the field, before setting up goals for Ben McGlynn and Tom Derickx in the final term.
Dan Hannebery was the Swans’ best in the win, with the midfielder collecting 34 touches and three tackles, while Josh Kennedy (27 possessions, six tackles) and Rhyce Shaw (34 possessions, seven marks) were also impressive.
In his first match since round 13, 2013, Goodes finished the game with five disposals, four inside-50s and two goal assists in just under a half of football.
Melbourne 1.2 2.3 4.4 5.8 (38)
Sydney Swans 4.5 4.8 7.12 9.15 (69)
Best: Hannebery, Kennedy, Parker, Jack, Shaw, Rampe
Goals: Jack 2, Parker, Franklin, Hannebery, Cunningham, Kennedy, McGlynn, Derickx
Official crowd: 24,855 at the MCG
Brownlow Medal votes: 3 – D.Hannebery (Syd), 2 – K.Jack (Syd), 1 – N.Jones (Melb)
Bob Skilton Medal votes: Dan Hannebery 41, Dane Rampe 37, Rhyce Shaw 36, Josh Kennedy 35
