Sydney has boosted its hopes of earning a double chance, defeating North Melbourne by 38 points at Marvel Stadium on Sunday despite a seven-goal haul from Nick Larkey.
Just like they did in the corresponding round four clash at the SCG, the Kangaroos took it right up to the Swans, at least for two-and-a-half quarters, but Sydney's class and skill proved far superior to their rivals and they prevailed 18.18 (126) to 13.10 (88).
The Swans' 14th victory – and fifth on the bounce – keeps them in the hunt for a top-four spot and possibly a top-two-finish, which would see them host a final.
The first quarter won't be remembered as a classic, with both sides turning the ball over more frequently than they would have liked. That said, credit must go to North Melbourne, whose pressure was terrific.
The Swans took a 17-point lead into quarter-time after Lance Franklin's late goal, but that margin should have been greater, with the visitors wasteful in front of goal.
North Melbourne drew first blood in the second quarter, with Callum Coleman-Jones kicking truly from 30 metres out after taking a strong grab, and it was within five points when Larkey kicked his third.
Sydney's first goal of the second term came at the 21-minute mark and after 11 inside 50s, when Tom Papley swooped on a loose ball in the goalsquare. It didn't take long for the Roos to respond, however, with Larkey marking and kicking his fourth.
North's hard work was undone in the blink of an eye, as quick goals to Isaac Heeney and Sam Reid extended the Swans' lead to 20 points. Alarm bells were well and truly ringing for the Kangas when Reid dragged in a one-hander and added his second in two minutes. That goal was Sydney's third from four inside 50s, which was a stark contrast to its previous 17 entries, which netted just one major.
KANGAROOS v SWANS Full match coverage and stats
Sydney's four-goal quarter saw it head to the main break 27 points to the good, but, just like the first term, inaccuracy in front of goal meant its advantage wasn't as sizeable as it should have been.
Larkey continued to be a handful for Tom McCartin and he added his fifth within the opening minute of the third term, before Cam Zurhaar registered his first to cut the deficit to 15 points.
Chad Warner was the beneficiary of some excellent forward-half pressure and his goal against the run of play gave the Swans some breathing space, but the Roos kept coming and Aaron Hall's long-range goal on the run kept them within touch.
Sydney's big guns up forward responded, with Franklin, Papley and Heeney all adding to their tally. The Swans continued to flex their muscle, as Logan McDonald registered his first goal, before Warner slotted his second to make it five unanswered goals.
The Swans swung for home with a comfortable 46-point cushion and extended that to a game-high 59 points at the 16-minute mark, before the Kangaroos kicked the final three goals of the match to reduce the margin to a respectable 38 points.
Larkey returns to form
After failing to hit the scoreboard in rounds 18 and 20 – the first time he has gone consecutive matches without a goal since rounds 13 and 14, 2020 – Nick Larkey was at his brilliant best on Sunday, booting seven goals. The Roos' key forward booted two in the first quarter, two in the second, one in the third and two in the last to finish with seven, equalling his career-high from round 19, 2021 against Carlton.
NORTH MELBOURNE 2.0 5.1 8.5 13.10 (88)
SYDNEY 4.5 8.10 14.15 18.18 (126)
GOALS
North Melbourne: Larkey 7, Zurhaar 2, Coleman-Jones, Davies-Uniacke, Hall, Taylor
Sydney: Franklin 4, Papley 3, Warner 3, Heeney 2, McDonald 2, Reid 2, Gulden, Hayward
BEST
North Melbourne: Larkey, Davies-Uniacke, Simpkin, Hall, Anderson, Taylor
Sydney: Papley, Warner, Gulden, Hickey, Parker, Heeney, Rowbottom
INJURIES
North Melbourne: Nil
Sydney: Nil
LATE CHANGES
North Melbourne: Ben McKay (shoulder) replaced in selected side by Josh Walker
Sydney: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
North Melbourne: Flynn Perez (unused)
Sydney: Ben Ronke (unused)
