An emotional week for Hawthorn ended in a 14-point loss to Sydney on Friday night at the MCG.
Just days after his cancer diagnosis, star Hawks forward Jarryd Roughead was on hand to watch his side suffer a 10.9 (69) to 7.13 (55) defeat in a pressure-packed encounter in front of 61,552 fans.
Former Hawthorn champion Lance Franklin was kept to one goal for three quarters by James Frawley, but the premiership star scored two stunning long goals in the last term to seal victory for the Swans.
Fellow tall Kurt Tippett was also important with 19 possessions, 35 hit-outs and two goals, while Dan Hannebery (33 disposals) and Luke Parker (30) were busy around the stoppages.
The Hawks had few clear winners, but Liam Shiels, Isaac Smith and Jack Gunston were among their best.
Alastair Clarkson's side couldn't muster a goal in a stagnant first term - their first goalless quarter of the season - but the Swans only managed one, through Gary Rohan in his first game of this campaign.
Sydney suffered a blow in the dying seconds of the term when defender Ted Richards left the game with a concussion, suffered when he smashed his head into the turf while completing a courageous mark.
Hawthorn's goal drought continued after the break, but the Swans made their move with five unanswered goals opening up a game-high 36-point lead with just minutes remaining in the half.
Luke Breust finally kicked the Hawks' first goal with just over four minutes left and, when Gunston followed up soon after, the contest was well and truly alive.
Hawthorn slashed a 25-point halftime deficit to 11 at the last break, but Sydney showed impressive poise to see off the challenge - Franklin's late goals a highlight as his side improved their win-loss record to 7-2.
"I'm thrilled with how we played," Swans coach John Longmire said.
"It was a real battle ... both sides put a lot of pressure on around the ball, there wasn't a lot of free play, but it was a real battle at the MCG, which tends to happen when two teams are having a crack."
The crowd stood and applauded Roughead in a touching tribute to the Hawthorn No.2 in the second minute of the second quarter.
Earlier in the week, Clarkson said everyone associated with the club had been shaken by Roughead's shock news, but the coach didn't feel that emotion was a factor against Sydney.
"I thought the club as a whole handled a pretty difficult situation really well ... the players, their effort and endeavour was there," Clarkson said.
"We just couldn't finish our work."
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