Sydney have defeated fierce rivals GWS by 41 points in a match that nearly spanned four hours due to multiple lightning delays.
The Swans navigated wet and windy conditions best to build a 19-point lead at the SCG before play was delayed at half-time because of nearby lightning strikes.
That forced an extended half-time, but just as the players prepared to return to the field, more lightning came, which forced another delay.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
The half-time break ended up going for over an hour before play finally resumed just after 10pm local time.
Thankfully, there were no more delays as the Swans eventually ran away with a comfortable victory.
GWS had closed to within just two goals early in the last quarter before Sydney put the foot down six of the final seven goals.
Nick Blakey was awarded the newly named Kirk-Ward Medal for best on ground after racking up 34 touches, 882m gained and a memorable goal running off half-back.
Brodie Grundy dominated the ruck and collected 26 disposals, while usual suspects Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and Justin McInerney were valuable contributors.
Star forward Charlie Curnow kicked three goals in a strong performance, while fellow tall forwards Joel Amartey and Logan McDonald kicked two apiece.
Speaking after the match, Blakey said the lengthy delay was “crazy”.
“I didn’t even know it was bad weather,” he told Fox Footy.
“We got told it was off … (it was) pretty cruisy, we’ve got a lot of larrikins, a lot of boys that just love chilling out so it was actually good fun.
“We didn’t know if the game was called off if we’d win or what the go was.”
Grundy said he relished the longer break to recharge the batteries.
“I was pretty cooked at half-time so I was thankful for the extra rest,” he said.
“I just put my feet up. Everyone handles it differently.”
League leaders Sydney (5-1) wrestled back local bragging rights after last year’s Round 20 loss – the first time the Swans had suffered defeat after five-straight wins.
The Giants’ goalscoring output told the story, with spearhead Jesse Hogan (quad) a late scratching as the visitors failed to capitalise on 59 forward entries.
GWS were already without fellow forward star Aaron Cadman (concussion) and are left languishing in 14th place (2-4).
Clayton Oliver was easily the Giants’ best at the contest, but his 37-disposal, nine-clearance effort wasn’t enough to spark GWS.
Jake Riccardi stood tall in Hogan’s absence with three goals, with Callum Brown called up after playing in the VFL immediately before.
Bursting from the blocks after the lengthy delay, Giants skipper Toby Greene notched three straight behinds, before Toby Bedford finally kicked truly to get the Giants humming.
But the challenge was short-lived, killed off by a Curnow goal.
A free kick paid against Giants defender Jayden Laverde for off-the-ball contact only added further insult to injury, with Swans tall Logan McDonald easily converting from 30 metres out in front of goal.
Finn Callaghan finally got on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter after being kept on a short leash by Swans tagger James Jordon (two goals), before Giants defender Leek Aleer kicked his first AFL goal in his first game of the season.
But the damage had already been done, and Blakey capped off his night with a sensational goal from within the centre square.
– WIth AAP
