With the Hawks trailing by just eight points at three quarter time on Friday night, the Hawthorn faithful may have felt the game was there for the taking.
The potency of Lance Franklin across the opening three terms was nullified with the star forward going down with a hamstring injury while fellow key Swan Isaac Heeney also looked hobbled.
The stage appeared set for yet another Hawthorn win at the SCG.
But, instead, it was the Swans who held firm, dominating the final term in all facets.
John Longmire’s side recorded the first eight inside 50s of the quarter, with the ball in its forward half for 81 per cent of the opening ten minutes.
The Swans’ 34 disposals through this important period of the game came at 92 per cent efficiency in comparison to Hawthorn's nine disposals (all kicks) at 22 per cent efficiency.
Sydney ensured its fifth win of the season by the simplest of means – dominating time in possession and depriving the Hawks of any chance to win the momentum struggle of the fourth quarter.
The Hawks’ 61 disposals in the fourth quarter was their second-lowest tally of any quarter this season.
Despite the game seemingly appearing within reach for Hawthorn at the final change, the Swans ultimately earned their victory through a well-executed game plan.
Sydney deprived Hawthorn of the ball in the final quarter, limiting the Hawks to 61 disposals, their second lowest disposal tally in any quarter this season. The Swans had a kicking efficiency of 86 per cent for the term, compared to 51 per cent from Hawthorn.
