The Swans have reignited their season with a plucky 14-point victory in a fiery clash with arch rivals the GIANTS at the SCG.

The Swans were at risk of losing touch with the top eight after three consecutive defeats but gave their finals hopes a much-needed boost in holding off the GIANTS for a 12.15 (87) to 10.13 (73) win.

The Sydney Derby lived up to its billing as one of the hottest rivalries in the game as spot fires broke out from the early exchanges while the Swans made a sizzling start.

The GIANTS paid the price for giving away multiple free kicks that helped the Swans boot the opening five goals, but faced an even heavier cost when losing Toby Bedford on the brink of the main change.

Bedford had been battling hard to contain the Swans' onball guns Isaac Heeney and eventual Brett Kirk medallist Chad Warner, but was forced from the field and soon subbed out of the contest after copping a blow to the eye from Lewis Melican.

The Swans key defender will be sweating on the Match Review Officer decision after running in from the opposite direction and making high contact with a swinging arm on Bedford.

With the GIANTS missing their first-choice midfield minder, Heeney and Warner had more leash to guide the Swans home while the visitors threatened to snatch the four points late in the game.

Justin McInerney was just as critical to the Swans' triumph after spending more time in the engine room from the time of winning the first clearance of the game.

Swans tagger James Jordon limited the impact of GIANTS half-back Lachie Whitfield and found space to boot two pivotal majors in the last term as players on both sides fluffed their lines near goal.

The GIANTS have found it difficult to wrest back momentum through the middle periods of the game in recent weeks, but this time were off the pace early as the Swans opened up a handy lead.

But Finn Callaghan took command of the on-ball brigade to spark the GIANTS in the second term and helped drag the visitors back to within a goal at the main change.

The 22-year-old continued to stand up in the GIANTS' undermanned midfield and finished with 33 disposals, while Tom Green gathered a game-high 34 touches and Callan Ward turned back the clock with 21.

It was an arm wrestle through much of the second half as both sides failed to make the most of their opportunities in front of goal until GIANTS sub Jake Stringer sent a scare through the Swans with three final-term majors during one final push that ultimately came too late.

Swans.                                                 5.4       6.5       8.10      12.15 (87)
GIANTS                                                   2.1       5.5       6.8       10.13 (73)

GOALS

Swans: Jordon 2, Heeney, Cleary, Rowbottom, McLean, Hayward, Blakey, Francis, Co.Warner, Hamling, Sheldrick
GIANTS: Stringer 3, Cadman 2, Jones, Wehr, Ward, Hogan, Green

BEST

Swans: Ch.Warner, Heeney, McInerney, Jordon, Roberts, Rowbottom, McCartin, Rampe
GIANTS: Callaghan, Green, Ward, Ash, Idun

INJURIES

Swans: Nil
GIANTS: Bedford (eye)

SUBSTITUTES

Swans: Angus Sheldrick (replaced Corey Warner in the last quarter)
GIANTS: Jake Stringer (replaced Toby Bedford at half-time)

REPORTS

Swans: Lewis Melican reported for striking Toby Bedford
GIANTS: Nil

Crowd: 39,260 at the SCG