The Swans’ midfield machine was again powering on all cylinders on Saturday afternoon with Dan Hannebery and Jarrad McVeigh at the steering wheel.

Up against a fleet-footed – albeit undermanned – Gold Coasts Suns at Metricon Stadium, the Swans shot out to a 44-point lead at the main break.

The deficit was one thing but Hannebery and McVeigh’s form was something else and dominated the half-time analyses.

Nothing separated the duo on the possession count at quarter-time, both collecting 17 disposals, before McVeigh added another seven and Hannebery touched the ball another eight times during the second term.

Hannebery’s first term was his highest tally of his career while both were on track to break the all-time record of 28 disposals in a half held by Adelaide’s Scott Thompson and Hannebery.

Allowed to run free, seemingly unchecked at times, Hannebery also enjoyed three clearances and three forward-50 entries while McVeigh was equally damaging at both ends of the ground (three entries, three rebounds).

“They were definitely in there getting the ball then hurting the Suns by spreading and running too,” star forward Lance Franklin noted of teammates post-match.

The clamps were placed on the Swans following the main break as a spirited Suns outfit mounted a charge and, as coach John Longmire pointed out post-match, the Swans “didn't use the ball well and our intensity plateaued a bit”.

Despite the second half lull, Hannebery ran out the game strongly to finish with a career-high equalling 42 disposals while McVeigh’s 39 touches was his best since his dominant 42 disposals against Carlton in the 2013 Semi-Final.