Preparation was the key to the Sydney Swans’ 34-point win over the West Coast Eagles in Perth on Sunday afternoon.

The Swans travelled over to Western Australia on Thursday evening, which allowed the team two full days to settle into Perth ahead of Sunday’s match at Patersons Stadium.

Swans defender Nick Smith said the club took extra care leading into the weekend’s match, which he described as one of the toughest tests in football.

“It’s a really hard trip and we were really happy to get the points over here and we get them any way we can,” Smith told SwansTV after the match.

“It’s a big trip. We came over on Thursday and spent the last three days (in Perth), so it’s good to come home with the win that’s for sure.”

The defender added that the preparation involved in the trip to Perth was vastly different to other interstate trips, with the players spending more time together both on and off the training track.

“The preparation coming to Perth is a lot different to any other game,” he said.

“We came over on Thursday night and we had our main training session on Subi on the Friday morning and had all of our meetings and recovery over here.

“We had a bit of time off on (Saturday), so the boys got down to Cottesloe and Fremantle and had a bit of lunch and then it was really game mode when we came to the ground (on Sunday).

“We sort of have a philosophy of having down time when we’re not training and that, but then really switch on when we’ve got training or the game.”

One player who benefitted from the extra time spent with the team was young midfielder Jed Lamb.

Lamb produced the best game of his short AFL career, collecting 19 disposals and kicking two goals, including a team-inspiring snap in the second term.

The 20-year-old said the additional time spent with senior players Jarrad McVeigh, Kieren Jack, Dan Hannebery and Josh Kennedy helped him prepare for Sunday’s match against the Eagles.

“It’s not just game day (that I look up to them), it’s during the week whether it’s training or whether it’s off-legs and recovery, they are just so professional,” he said.

“Players like Kizza, Hannebery and Macca, they are awesome runners and this ground really suited them and they played really well.

“I spoke to them briefly (on Saturday) and they just said that it was an awesome opportunity to play in front of 40,000 West Coast supporters and said there was no better feeling than walking off when the ground is silent.

“It was good today walking off and it was good to see so many Swans supporters too.”

While Lamb’s two goal performance was his best to date, the midfielder said he hoped to improve on his defensive efforts and fitness in the coming weeks.

“It’s always nice to kick a couple of goals,” he said.

“I’ll do my tape on Tuesday probably but I didn’t feel my pressure was great so I can probably keep working on that, but it was nice to get on the scoreboard.

“I was just trying to run up and back all day and just test myself and each week I play a full game I’m just trying to test myself and get fitter and fitter as I go on.”

Lamb said the Swans would now turn their attention to this Sunday’s clash against an in-form Richmond side at the SCG.

“Every game is really important at the moment and we’re now coming into the back end of the year, so hopefully we can recover well and have another good game next week,” Lamb said.