The Sydney Swans have moved a game clear on top of the ladder and added to their bulging percentage after belting Gold Coast by 72 points at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.

But it wasn't all good news for the Swans, losing key forward Sam Reid in the first quarter after he injured his right knee in a marking contest, and star skipper Adam Goodes to a hamstring injury.

While Reid was walking freely at the end of the night, Goodes limped from the field in the final term with a hamstring injury.

Swans coach John Longmire's heart would have sunk as he watched Reid then Goodes hobble from the field and not even the 19.12 (126) to 8.6 (54) win - their eighth straight victory - would have changed his spirits.

Reid's right knee was caught under Gold Coast's Josh Caddy as they fell in a marking contest and he was replaced by substitute Craig Bird.

And the high-flying Swans initially appeared mortal without their young gun - after kicking six goals to two in the first term, their lead was whittled down to 23 points by the main break.

Gold Coast tried to keep the Swans honest in the third before a stunning burst of five goals in nine minutes set up a 16.9 (105) to 7.4 (46) lead at the final change to seal the game.

SUNS coach Guy McKenna has never hid his admiration for the Swans, even hiring ex-captain and premiership player Brett Kirk as an assistant to help instill a "winning culture".

But Gold Coast received a sobering lesson on Saturday night, ending a promising three-week run that featured a victory over Richmond.

The Swans' in-form midfielders Josh Kennedy, Ryan O'Keefe and Kieren Jack all found plenty of the ball, while veterans Goodes, Lewis Roberts-Thomson and Jude Bolton booted 10 goals between them.

For the SUNS, skipper Gary Ablett worked tirelessly, collecting more than 40 disposals and laying nine tackles.

In the absence of Shane Mumford, Mike Pyke's evolution as footballer continued, with the big Canadian having 47 hit-outs in the ruck.

GOLD COAST 2.1 5.2 7.4 8.6 (54)
SYDNEY SWANS 6.3 8.7 16.9 19.12 (126)

GOALS
Sydney Swans: Roberts-Thomson 4, Goodes 3, Bolton 3, Jack 2, Dennis-Lane
2, Bird, Hannebery, Jetta, McVeigh,Kennedy
Gold Coast: Matera 3, Smith 2, Ablett, Brown, Lynch

BEST 
Sydney Swans: Jack, Kennedy, O'Keefe, Pyke, Bolton, McVeigh
Gold Coast: Ablett, Harbrow, Hine, Stanley, Warnock, Matera

INJURIES 
Sydney Swans: Reid (knee), Goodes (hamstring)
Gold Coast: Brown (TBC)

SUBSTITUTES
Sydney Swans: Craig Bird replaced Sam Reid in the first quarter
Gold Coast: Liam Patrick replaced David Swallow in the third quarter

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Fleer, Leppard, Wenn

Official crowd: 11,169 at Metricon Stadium

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or itsclubs

SUNS on the run

Scintillating work from Liam Patrick sets up Brandon Matera.

 

First Half Highlights

Watch all the 1st half highlights from the clash between Gold Coast SUNS and Sydney Swans.