IT MIGHTN'T have been the classic we've come to expect between these great rivals, but it mattered little for the Lance Franklin-inspired Sydney Swans as they ground out a 14-point triumph over Hawthorn in an error-riddled clash on Friday night.
Just six days after letting four points slip through their fingers in the final-minute against Richmond, the Swans returned to the MCG on a mission and atoned with a 10.9 (69) to 7.13 (55) triumph, their seventh win for 2016.
Despite leading from the 15-minute mark of the opening term, it took two final-quarter flashes of brilliance from Franklin (three goals) to finally seal the deal.
After Hawthorn ruckman Jonathon Ceglar coughed the ball up at centre-half forward with a handball to the turned back of Will Langford, the Swans swept the ball to the wing where Franklin took possession with almost no teammates ahead.
In inimitable style, the superstar swung onto his booming left boot and unloaded a 75m bomb that bounced through, driving a dagger through the hearts of his ex-teammates.
It was a major few players other than the $10-million dollar man could've kicked and when Franklin received a handball on the 50m arc and wheeled onto his left again minutes later the result was beyond doubt, with the Swans going 21 points up.
While it wasn't the win the Hawks hoped to get for Jarryd Roughead, it was in some ways fitting that his great mate Franklin had the final say.
Fans around the ground stood and applauded in the second-minute of the second term in a touching show of support for Roughead, who revealed the reoccurrence of his melanoma during the week.
Hawthorn supporters were otherwise largely muted by their team's uncharacteristic sloppiness as the Swans tiptoed ahead almost as if they were scared to wake the sleeping giant.
John Longmire's men booted the opening six goals of the game before Jack Gunston (four goals) led a Hawks fightback either side of the main break.
But too many Hawks were down, as they were again beaten up in contested ball (162-133) and slumped to a third loss for the season.
Playing his first game this year after a severe hamstring, Swans speedster Gary Rohan (three goals) lit up a dour affair, while big man Kurt Tippett (two goals) was outstanding in the ruck and a threat drifting forward.
Dan Hannebery worked his way into the match after a quiet opening term, while Luke Parker's poise was important and Nick Smith was rock solid in defence in his 150th game.
Hawks wingman Isaac Smith tried hard to lift his side with support from opposite number Billy Hartung, while Liam Shiels and Taylor Duryea never gave an inch.
But it was the Swans, who lost key defender Ted Richards to concussion in the first quarter, who prevailed, notching their second win from the past five clashes with the Hawks and consolidating their position in the top four.
HAWTHORN 0.2 2.4 5.7 7.13 (55)
SYDNEY SWANS 1.2 6.5 7.6 10.9 (69)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Gunston 4, Rioli, Puopolo, Breust
Sydney Swans: Franklin 3, Rohan 3, McGlynn 2, Tippett 2
BEST
Hawthorn: Smith, Gunston, Hartung, Duryea, Shiels, Birchall
Sydney Swans: Hannebery, Grundy, Parker, Rohan, Mitchell, Tippett, Franklin
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
Sydney Swans: Richards (concussion)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Nicholls, Schmitt, Hay
Official crowd: 61,552 at the MCG
