Sydney is ramping up its defence of the AFL premiership as the finals loom, with a six-goal haul from key forward Kurt Tippett guiding them to an impressive 21.8 (134) to 15.9 (99) win over the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.
The hard-fought win was only the third time in Tippett's 111-game career that he has kicked six or more in a game.
It was his biggest haul for the Swans and again showed the wait was worthwhile.
Tippett had to sit out the first half of the season because of an AFL suspension.
"We think he's been really good since the first game he played for us," said coach John Longmire.
"(He had) a long time out of the game, he came straight back into the team and he's been playing well for us every week.
"He's been kicking his three goals a week and having six or seven shots at goal and, today, the accuracy meant that he had a big impact (so) far as goals kicked."
Tippett's form was especially encouraging given that fellow forward Sam Reid will return from a recurring quad injury on the eve of the finals.
Adam Goodes will also return around the same time from a knee injury.
So Tippett is crucial for Sydney as they try to secure a top-two finish and a home final.
They are second and only half a game off top spot, thanks to upset losses this weekend for Hawthorn and Geelong.
Another good sign out of the game was the successful return of premiership defender Rhyce Shaw.
He has been missing since round two because of injury.
The Bulldogs were valiant and could also smell a potential boilover.
When Tom Campbell tapped the ball down to Daniel Giansiracusa, who volleyed it through on the full for a goal of the year candidate, the Bulldogs were only eight points down late in the third term.
But as they usually do, the Swans answered the challenge.
They kicked the last three goals of the term, with Tippett's soccered shot just seconds before the three-quarter time siren breaking the Bulldogs.
After some solid form in the last month, the Bulldogs again impressed by matching Sydney's legendary hardness at the ball.
While Kieren Jack and Tippett were best for Sydney, Ryan Griffen and Mitch Wallis starred in the midfield for the 'Dogs.
"It was a real battle today for us," Longmire said.
"We talked to our playing group about it all week, that their ladder position (15th) wasn't exactly what we'd expect to receive in regards to an opposition this weekend.
"And that's what we got."
