The Swans booted four of the first five goals to set up a early lead and they were never seriously challenged by the Demons, who gave every effort but were outclassed.
Jarrad McVeigh and Kieren Jack were outstanding for the Swans in their 16.20 (116) to 13.7 (85) victory, while youngster Brandon Jack contributed four goals as a small forward.
Melbourne's best players were found in defence where Dean Terlich and Tom McDonald were industrious. At the other end, Jack Fitzpatrick presented all day to finish with three goals.
In Neil Craig's third game as caretaker coach, Melbourne took the game up to the Swans and only trailed by eight points late in the first term.
Star Swans recruit Kurt Tippett broke clear of James Frawley's close attention to snap a great goal and put his team 14 points up at quarter-time.
The premiers put the game out of Melbourne's reach in the second term, but should have been further ahead than 35 points.
They kicked a wasteful 4.9 after using their celebrated pressure to keep the ball up their end of the ground for much of the term.
Melbourne kicked the first two goals of the final term to reduce the margin to 30 points.
Demons fans were furious when a holding the ball decision was not paid against Tippett midway through the last quarter, allowing him to set up a goal for McVeigh.
The Swans quickly kicked another two goals to snuff out the Demons' faint hopes of an upset.
The Swans' win was soured by a first-quarter quad injury to Sam Reid, who was playing his first game in four weeks after recovering from a quadriceps injury.
But the premiership player limped from the field in the first term and was subbed out of the game immediately.
Ice was applied to Reid's left quad as he sat out the rest of the game.
Meanwhile, Melbourne look set to be without defender James Frawley after he appeared to strain his left hamstring in the third term.
MELBOURNE 3.1 5.2 8.5 13.7 (85)
SYDNEY SWANS 5.3 9.13 13.18 16.20 (116)
GOALS
Melbourne: Fitzpatrick 3, Howe 2, Watts 2, Dawes 2, Nicholson, N. Jones, Trengove, Davey
Sydney Swans: B. Jack 4, Tippett 2, Bird 2, Everitt, Pyke, Parker, Mitchell, K. Jack, O'Keefe, McVeigh, Lamb
BEST
Melbourne: Terlich, Fitzpatrick, N.Jones, Trengove, McDonald, Gawn
Sydney Swans: K. Jack, O'Keefe, Kennedy, Mitchell, McVeigh, Bird, B. Jack
INJURIES
Melbourne: Frawley (hamstring)
Sydney Swans: Reid (quad)
SUBSTITUTES
Melbourne: Shannon Byrnes replaced James Frawley (hamstring) in the third quarter
Sydney Swans: Brandon Jack replaced Sam Reid (quad) in the first quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Hay, Harris, Mollison
Official crowd: 26,216 at the MCG
