Sydney has rediscovered its best as ruck recruit Brodie Grundy set the tone in his milestone match for a 53-point victory over Gold Coast at the SCG.

After a scintillating start to the season, the Swans had shown signs of slowing down in their two matches before a bye, but appeared refreshed as they beat the the SUNS 17.8 (110) to 8.9 (57) on Sunday.

The SUNS worked their way into the contest in the second term after a poor start, slowing the Swans' run and carry through the midfield to hold them goalless while adding two majors of their own.

But they were unable to keep pace with the Swans when the game was on the line in the second half, especially with spearhead Ben King (two goals) well held by Tom McCartin.

Sam Flanders (29 disposals) found plenty of the ball playing off half-back but will want to tidy up some of his kicking as the Suns look to make the most of opposition turnovers.

The Suns co-captains Jarrod Witts and Touk Miller (23 disposals) battled hard but they ultimately had too few contributors to prevent the Swans from returning to form.

Future is bright for SUNS Academy graduates

Gold Coast lined up with all four Academy graduates that it took in the first round of last year's draft in what already looms as a watershed moment. Jake Rogers came in for his debut alongside Jed Walter, Ethan Read and Will Graham and looked comfortable even while spending time at the coalface against the Swans. But it was athletic key forward Walter that again shined brightest, capping off a combative display with a classy left-foot snap from the tightest of angles after being paid a contentious mark on the boundary line in the second term.

SYDNEY              5.3       5.4       12.8      17.8 (110)
GOLD COAST      1.2       3.5       5.7       8.9 (57)

GOALS
Sydney: Amartey 4, Papley 3, Hayward 2, McDonald 2, Wicks 2, Heeney, Grundy, Jordon, McInerney, Warner
Gold Coast: King 2, Anderson, Clohesy, Fiorini, Humphrey, Miller, Walter

BEST
Sydney: Grundy, Heeney, Papley, Gulden, Amartey, McInerney, McCartin
Gold Coast: Rowell, Flanders, Miller, Berry, Witts

INJURIES
Sydney: Nil
Gold Coast: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Sydney: Braeden Campbell (replaced Lewis Melican in the fourth quarter)
Gold Coast: David Swallow (replaced Ethan Read in the fourth quarter)

Crowd: 35,649 at the SCG