Sydney Swans coach John Longmire has paid tribute to indigenous stars Lewis Jetta and Lance Franklin, who shrugged off emotional and physical issues this week to help their side to a 52-point win over Adelaide.

Jetta, who performed an indigenous war dance against West Coast last week in response to the treatment of close friend Adam Goodes, had 17 possessions in a brilliant first half, and kicked the opening goal of the match, which he followed up with another celebration dance.

Franklin kicked three goals and took six marks against the Crows but looked hampered by a back injury and spent some extended time on the bench during the match.

Longmire said the star forward showed plenty of mental toughness to get out onto the field on such an important game for the club.

"Lance Franklin probably shouldn't have played, but said very early in the week that he'd be right," Longmire said post match.

"He's pretty sore but what he does do, if he says he's right to play, he plays, and he performs, and that's what he was able to do tonight."

Jetta seemed inspired with his mentor Goodes missing from the team on extended leave, and Longmire said the usually shy West Australian had come out of his shell over the past seven days.

His personal stand against the Eagles bought the Goodes situation to a head and rather than collapsing under the weight of the media spotlight, Jetta instead shone under the lights at the SCG.

"He's just a quality young bloke, I think he felt really good about himself on Monday, he had a real spring in his step and he had a real spring in his step all week," Longmire said.

"He wanted to step forward and he certainly did, on and off the field for us.

"I think it was a great example of a young bloke showing some terrific leadership and helping a mate out.

"That's what last week was about, that's what during the week was about with him and certainly tonight he showed it, he was fantastic."

Former Crow Kurt Tippett was another to earn praise form his coach, after he returned to the side in stunning fashion after missing just one week with a broken hand.

Playing in the ruck with Mike Pyke out injured, the 28 year-old kicked three goals in the first term, and finished the game with 19 touches and 25 hit-outs up against Sam Jacobs.

Tippett has copped plenty of criticism over his output since arriving in Sydney, but now has 28 goals from 15 games in 2015, despite playing significant time in the ruck, and Longmire said it shows just how important the mobile big man is to the Swans.

"He was sensational in the ruck, his ability to give us a real option in the ruck with 'Pykey' out, and his ability to be able to go forward and kick goals was critical," Longmire said.

"He had a good mix tonight.

"He's still learning his game and working out what he can and can't do, and when he's been able to get a continuous run on it we think he can be a good ruckman for us.

"That ruck/forward role is so important in modern footy and will only get more important with the talk about the interchange going down."