FREMANTLE 1.1 1.3 4.5 5.9 (39)

GOALS: Sydney - Franklin 4, Parker 3, Rohan 2, Reid 2, Papley 2, Tippett 2, Hayward 2, Heeney, Sinclair, Jack, Jones, Hayward, McVeigh Fremantle - McCarthy 2, Taberner, Mundy, Deluca

BEST: Sydney – Hannebery, Franklin, Rampe, Parker, Hewett, Smith, Grundy Fremantle - Fyfe, Hill, Taberner, Pearce, Darcy

INJURIES: Sydney - Newman (knee)

UMPIRES: Chris Donlon, Brendan Hosking, Brent Wallace

CROWD: 39,281 at the SCG

Sydney are breathing down the neck of the AFL's top four after demolishing a woeful Fremantle by 104 points on Saturday, gathering even more steam for their irrepressible premiership charge.

The 12th win from their past 14 matches was arguably their most impressive, certainly in a first half demolition where Lance Franklin managed four goals and during which the Dockers could only kick a solitary major in front of a heaving SCG crowd of 39,281.

A top-four finish and a guaranteed second chance in September is still on the cards, although Sydney will need to beat ladder leaders Adelaide away from home next weekend if they're to overhaul Geelong or Richmond.

For now coach John Longmire can breathe a sigh of relief knowing his in-form charges will play finals for an eighth straight season, and in doing so will become the first team in the AFL era to have resurrected an 0-6 start to the year.

Much tougher tests than Fremantle await in September, but this was still a statement win of power and intent to back up last weekend's thumping triumph over the Cats.

Franklin's timely return to form was complemented by some strong marking from fellow talls Sam Reid and Kurt Tippett, while ruckman Callum Sinclair's purple patch is showing no signs of abating.

Down back the Swans choked the life out of Fremantle, with Heath Grundy, Dane Rampe and Nick Smith giving precious little away to the insipid visitors.

The perfectionist in Longmire will look at the third quarter and say the Swans could have been better. They still managed to kick four goals to three in that term, but the contest had long expired.

That quarter came at a cost too after Nic Newman was helped from the ground with what appeared to be a right knee injury. It was a cruel blow for the rapidly developing defender who has been more than reliable in his first season at this level.

But Longmire will also sit back and admire what he and his coaching staff have managed to rebuild this year after all looked lost in late April when his side trudged off the MCG after losing to Carlton, a sixth-straight defeat.

Saturday's 13-goal first half was truly something to behold.

Gary Rohan's set shot began the rout, he goaled from about 45m after marking Dan Hannebery's spearing pass. That kick-started a big afternoon for the midfielder who finished with 29 touches.

Fellow engine roomer Luke Parker also started strongly booting a pair of goals in the opening term, but they all took a back seat to the Buddy Franklin show.

He was uncontainable in the first half.

His first came from a set shot after strongly outmarking veteran Michael Johnson.

Number two was from another mark and shot, this time from outside the 50m arc.

He slammed one through on the run before banging through a fourth late in the half which had the Swans fans on their feet at the main break.

Two things would have pleased Longmire more than any other from this dominant display from his superstar.

Firstly, this was Franklin's best return in a month but perhaps more importantly, he was by no means a one-man band.

George Hewett did a superb job on Nat Fyfe.

Kieren Jack played one of his best games of the season while fellow veteran Jarrad McVeigh was more than reliable down back.

And there were 12 individual goal kickers.

Longmire still won't allow himself to peek ahead to September. Sydney have carried the one-game-at-a-time mantra all season, and that shall continue until their opponent in the first week of the finals becomes apparent.

But the rest of the competition will head into September very warily, knowing this red-and-white juggernaut is capable of going all the way.

VOTES

Luke Parker (Sydney) 8

Dan Hannebery (Sydney) 8

Dane Rampe (Sydney) 8

Lance Franklin (Sydney) 8

George Hewett (Sydney) 8