The Swans had a five-goal hero. It just wasn't Lance Franklin.

With 'Buddy' mania at fever pitch ahead of Saturday night's season-opener against the GIANTS, the champion forward entered the game five goals short of his 1000th, few would have predicted a five-goal performance from any other Swan. 

But Luke Parker, Sydney’s co-captain and star midfielder, went on a goalkicking blitz in the second half of the Accor Stadium derby to spearhead his side to a 20-point comeback win. 

If the Swans generally shake down the thunder from the sky, then Parker simply stole it off Franklin, who was well held by GIANTS defender Phil Davis and kicked one goal in a quiet night to edge within four majors of the magical milestone. Attention now turns to next Friday night's clash with Geelong at the SCG.  

Parker picked up where he left off after his best and fairest 2021 season, with his goals coming in the second half as the Swans stared down some battles in attack. At one stage, he had kicked five of the Swans' most recent goals before they ran away with the 17.10 (112) to 13.14 (92) victory.  

He claimed his fourth Brett Kirk Medal as the best player in the derby.

In an entertaining, high-scoring clash, the New South Wales rivalry produced another exciting contest stacked of highlights and brilliance. The first-half goal fest saw the Swans and GIANTS one-up each other with end-to-end run, but Sydney had the stamina to keep it up by kicking eight goals to three after half-time.  

Isaac Heeney kicked three goals as did Ollie Florent, who was superb throughout including two terrific goals – one straight out of the centre bounce and another after spinning out of a tackle and breaking clear.

The Swans kicked three of the first four goals of the game, but the GIANTS' response was swift. As Tom Green (31 disposals, two goals) controlled the midfield with his bullocking and contested strength, Harry Himmelberg and Daniel Lloyd feasted in attack, both booting two goals for the term. 

Franklin didn't register a disposal in the opening quarter – his tackle on Xavier O'Halloran near the goal square was close to being awarded holding the ball – but it was the GIANTS' new-look forward set up that was having the bigger say to set up a 15-point lead at the first break.

The superstar Swan got involved in the second term, kicking his first goal for the day and setting up another, as his side kicked six goals for the quarter. Sydney started to run the ball well out of defence and got into its groove, but the GIANTS' efficiency when they went forward – they kicked five goals from 10 inside-50 entries – kept them at a nine-point advantage at half-time.

The clubs continued to trade goals – and good ones, too. Stephen Coniglio's quick feet saw him break open and slot an on-the-run special, while new teammate Jarrod Brander's off-the-ground soccer from long range hit the sweet spot.  

But the Swans were making their own highlight reel, with Braeden Campbell's left-foot bomb and Parker's snap matching their efforts.

Parker's third for the term – and fourth for the game – saw the Swans take a six-point lead into the final quarter with momentum on their side. They didn't lose it from there.  

GIANTS                                                  5.3       10.7       12.10       13.14 (92)
Swans                                                        3.0       9.4       13.9     17.10 (112)

 
GOALS  

GIANTS: Himmelberg 3, Green 2, Hill 2, Lloyd 2, Brander, Coniglio, Taranto, Ward
Swans: Parker 5, Florent 3, Heeney 3, McLean 2, Campbell, Franklin, Gulden, Hayward

 
BEST  

GIANTS: Green, Davis, Taranto, Ward, Coniglio
Swans: Parker, Florent, Heeney, Mills, Blakey 

INJURIES  

GIANTS: Nil
Swans: McInerney (leg)

SUBSTITUTES  

GIANTS: Tanner Bruhn (unused)
Swans: Colin O'Riordan (unused)