SYDNEY has taken a flamethrower to Greater Western Sydney's finals hopes, ambushing their crosstown rivals to hold them to their equal-lowest score ever on Thursday night.
In the first Sydney Derby played on neutral territory at Optus Stadium, the GIANTS never left first gear which prompted captain Stephen Coniglio to describe their first half as "hopeless".
The lack of GIANTS pressure allowed the Swans to do as they pleased, and aside from a small burst in the third term, waltzed to just their second win in eight games, 10.6 (66) to 3.7 (25).
SWANS RUN RIOT Full match coverage and stats
The GIANTS' score – of which all three goals came via free kicks – levelled their effort in last year's Grand Final disaster and shaved more than six per cent off their standing to leave them clinging to eighth spot.
Callum Sinclair's dominance of Sam Jacobs helped the Swans win the first term clearance battle 16-6 as they kicked three unanswered goals.
The GIANTS lacked any energy as the Swans were able to springboard from defence and record a whopping 42 more uncontested possessions in the first half.
Jeremy Cameron, who was well held by Dane Rampe and Lewis Melican all night, managed the GIANTS' first goal at the 13-minute mark of the second term.
As they did against Essendon six days earlier, the GIANTS threatened to storm back into the contest in the third term before a crucial goal from debutant Zac Foot stemmed the momentum.
The Swans' exciting youngsters including Nick Blakey, Will Hayward, James Bell, Dylan Stephens and James Rowbottom then ran away with the victory in an irresistible final term.
