Parker nears return as Heeney stars in Swans' win

Sydney coach John Longmire faces the welcome problem of trying to squeeze fit-again former captain Luke Parker into his red-hot engine room for the huge AFL derby clash with GWS.

Isaac Heeney led a dominant four-quarter performance from the Swans’ midfield on Sunday, starring in an 18.10 (118) to 5.12 (42) thumping of Hawthorn at the MCG.

Chad Warner (22 disposals, six clearances), Jake Lloyd (26 touches) and Errol Gulden (28) also shone, while James Rowbottom celebrated his 100-game milestone with 24 disposals and five clearances.

The victory improved Sydney’s season record to 6-1, equal to that of the Giants ahead of their round-eight meeting at the SCG.

The Swans’ strong start has come despite having experienced midfielder Parker (broken arm) and skipper Callum Mills (shoulder) out injured.

Sydney’s Luke Parker returned through the VFL and had a game-high 34 disposals in a losing side. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

Parker returned through the VFL on Sunday and made his case for a senior recall with a game-high 34 disposals in a losing side.

“He came in today (and said he pulled up) pretty good, so that’s a good sign,” Longmire said.

‘We’ll sit down this week and see what we need to do.

“Obviously the Giants are in red-hot form and it’s going to be a massive game.”

Brownlow Medal favourite Heeney has spent more time in the midfield this season to cover injuries and continued his outstanding form with 21 disposals, four clearances and three goals against Hawthorn.

Sydney’s James Rowbottom celebrated his 100-game milestone with 24 disposals and five clearances. (Scott Barbour/AAP PHOTOS)

“He’s been able to play midfield and still hit the scoreboard,” Longmire said.

“The thing that we’ve noticed – and you wouldn’t see it outside the club – but the footage that we show is what he’s doing for his teammates and defensively working so hard.

“That’s what we love about him. He’s able to play both sides of the ball, plus being really hard and tough. I hope he keeps going.”

Logan McDonald (three), Will Hayward and Sam Wicks (two each) joined Heeney at the top of a list of a dozen goalkickers for the Swans, who were in control from the outset.

One positive on a difficult day for Hawthorn was the successful return of reigning best-and-fairest winner Will Day (11 disposals) in his first game of the season after a foot stress fracture.

James Worpel (21 disposals, six clearances), Jai Newcombe (24, six) and Dylan Moore (25 touches, one goal) battled on in a losing cause.

The Hawks won the clearance count and had almost as many forward entries as Sydney, but were out-tackled (67-45) and ultimately outclassed as the visitors increased their lead in every quarter.

“We were taught a lesson,” Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell said.

“They’re a very, very good side and they’re in the top couple of teams in the competition for a reason.

“I looked at our pressure and effort and the contest was actually OK for us, but they just put an enormous amount of pressure on us.

“No matter what we produced, they were able to produce a bit more and we just couldn’t withstand their heat.”