LANCE Franklin kicked as many goals as the entire Melbourne Demons side as the Sydney Swans bounced back from last week’s loss to the GWS Giants.

In torrential conditions at the SCG, Franklin bagged four goals as the Swans scored a comprehensive 12.14 (86) to 4.7 (31) victory.

Franklin moved to the top of the Coleman Medal standings with his 47 goals, but it was the Swans’ defence that rewrote the record books.

Lance Franklin celebrates with his Swans teammates. Source: Getty Images

Round 18

Their 155 tackles beat the previous mark of 142 set by Richmond in round 10, 2010.

“Those conditions contribute to the numbers,” Sydney coach John Longmire said. “It wasn’t part of our pre-match planning, but what we did want to do is play hard, contested football and in those conditions it helped to be able to put enormous pressure on the opposition.

“I think we had 80-odd tackles at halftime and if you invest in that pressure early it can open up a little bit later on, which it did, and we were probably rewarded for that early effort late in the game.”

Longmire’s men came close to the tackling mark two weeks ago when they chalked up 135 against Gold Coast in similar conditions at Metricon Stadium. They have clearly honed their skills in the wet and no one proved better than that yesterday than Jarrad McVeigh.

The Swans co-captain’s 24 disposals were executed at a remarkable 86 per cent efficiency. He had plenty of support across the ground as Josh Kennedy and Dan Hannebery continued their outstanding seasons with 28 disposals each.

“Our leaders stood up and set the tone early,” Longmire said.

Sydney's Lance Franklin spoils during Sydney Swans v Melbourne Demons at the SCG. Picture. Phil Hillyard Source: News Corp Australia

“They played well. All of them and bounced back really strongly from last week. The younger players were fantastic as well, it was really good to see those younger players play a strong game in tough conditions.”

But it was the form of young players Dean Towers, James Rose and Zak Jones which caught Longmire’s eye.

Towers was dominant across half-forward when the game was at its hottest in the first half and finished with 27 possessions and two goals. In just his fifth game, Rose was also lively and handled the conditions brilliantly.

“It’s good to see some of the younger boys play strong games in pretty tough conditions,” Longmire said.

“Dean’s form has been really solid in the reserves it was just a question of transferring it to the seniors.”

Sydney's Aliir Aliir impressed in the wet. Picture. Phil Hillyard. Source: News Corp Australia

Jones enjoyed the win against his big brother’s (Nathan) team and provided plenty of speed out of defence.

Heath Grundy was also solid in his 200th game in the red and white as the Swans backline limited Melbourne to just five goals for the day. Nick Smith and Dane Rampe were also miserly in clamping down the Demon forwards.

Christian Petracca was the only multiple goal kicker for the visitors, kicking two in just his ninth game.

Bernie Vince, Nathan Jones and Jack Viney were also solid contributors in the scrappy encounter.

The Swans moved to second on the AFL ladder, behind Geelong only on percentages.

They will enjoy the bye next week before their round 15 clash against the Western Bulldogs at the SCG.

Franklin leads the Coleman Medal standings by a goal to West Coast’s Josh Kennedy.

The Swans celebrate a goal kicked by Toby Nankervis. Source: AAP

SYDNEY 12.14 (86)

MELBOURNE 4.7 (31)

GOALS

Sydney: L Franklin 4 B McGlynn 2 D Towers 2 G Hewett J Kennedy J Lloyd T Nankervis.

Melbourne: C Petracca 2 D Kent J Hogan.

Umpires: Chris Donlon, Scott Jeffery, Chris Kamolins, Andrew Stephens.

Official Crowd: 19,086 at SCG.

VOTES

3. Dean Towers (Sydney)

2. Jarrad McVeigh (Sydney)

1. Lance Franklin (Sydney)