Swans go top after downing Eagles

Sydney's credentials as a legitimate premiership threat are looking even stronger after they emphatically beat fellow top-four hopefuls West Coast by 52 points at Patersons Stadium on Sunday.

The Swans started slowly but took control of the match with 10 of the last 13 goals to end the Eagles' 18-game winning streak in Perth with an 18.13 (121) to 10.9 (69) victory, seeing them finish the round in top spot ahead of Collingwood and Adelaide on percentage.

West Coast's first home loss since falling to Sydney in Round 3 2011 was as costly for the Eagles as it was beneficial for the Swans, as John Worsfold's men now sit fifth and will need to beat the Crows away next week to stay on course for the top four.

The absence of up to eight of the Eagles' best 22 and five of their seven leading 2012 goalkickers proved costly, while their forward line depth could be tested even further next week after Jack Darling was subbed out in the third quarter and had ice put on his left hamstring.

Victory against the side they played consecutive thrilling Grand Finals against in 2005 and 2006 came at a major cost for Sydney, with veteran tall Lewis Roberts-Thomson appearing to suffer his second major facial injury of the season in a clash with Jacob Brennan just before half-time.

But the Swans won the midfield battle on the back of Daniel Hannebery's spectacular 42-possession effort, while Kieren Jack (29 touches and nine clearances) and Ryan O'Keefe (39 disposals) were also in brilliant form.

Daniel Kerr worked gallantly for the Eagles to collect 31 possessions and six clearances, but he was fighting a losing battle in an on-ball unit that was outworked and outclassed.

It was all one-way traffic in West Coast's favour early, with the pressure they built from having nine of the first 10 inside 50s allowing them to go ahead 20-0 after 11 minutes.

But Sydney's response was as emphatic as it was quick, kicking four goals in just 13 minutes to take the lead shortly before quarter-time.

A strong Darling finish briefly put the Eagles back in front, but that was short-lived and the Swans were firmly in control and up by 23 points midway through the second after four consecutive majors.

The momentum again shifted after Dean Cox, Darling and Chris Masten all booted majors to cut the deficit to one just before the main break, but costly mistakes gifted the visitors the last two goals and a 15-point half-time advantage.

The two teams traded goals early in the third but a miracle Craig Bird goal, in addition to O'Keefe's 17 third term possessions ensured the Swans had all the momentum and they were 30 up at the final change.

Masten's second gave West Coast brief hope, but Sydney quickly guaranteed their 12th win with three-straight majors.

WEST COAST: 4.3, 7.7, 8.8, 10.9 (69)
SYDNEY: 5.1, 10.4, 13.8, 18.13 (121)

GOALS: WEST COAST: Masten 3, Darling 2, Cox, Naitanui, Newman, S Selwood, Sheppard
SYDNEY: Jetta 4, Bolton 3, Reid 3, Bird, Everitt, Goodes, Kennedy, McGlynn, McVeigh, Pyke, Roberts-Thomson
BEST: WEST COAST: Kerr, S Selwood, Gaff, Rosa, Priddis
SYDNEY: Hannebery, O'Keefe, Jack, Kennedy, McVeigh, Bird, Jetta
INJURIES: WEST COAST: Jack Darling (hamstring)
SYDNEY: Lewis Roberts-Thomson (face)
REPORTS: Nil
SUBS: WEST COAST: Koby Stevens replaced Jack Darling (3rd Qtr)
SYDNEY: Andrejs Everitt replaced Lewis Roberts-Thomson (half-time)
CHANGES: WEST COAST: Ashton Hams (soreness) replaced in selected side by Murray Newman
SYDNEY: Nil
UMPIRES: Margetts, Stevic, Findlay
CROWD: 39,152 at Patersons Stadium