IT WAS a long way from the MCG on Grand Final day, but Lance Franklin officially made his Sydney Swans debut in their 35-point NAB Challenge loss to West Coast in Blacktown on Thursday night.

The last time Franklin kicked a ball in anger at AFL level, he secured his second premiership in his 182nd and final game for Hawthorn in front of just over 100,000 fans.

On a wet night in Sydney's west, the Swans' new $10 million man managed six touches and one behind in front of 3,045 fans in West Coast's 0.10.12 (72) to 0.5.7 (37) win.

Both sides were fielding undermanned line-ups, but an impressive third quarter for the Eagles – kicking 6.4 to no score for the Swans – broke the game open and ensured their second straight pre-season win.

A number of West Coast players impressed, led by usual suspects Chris Masten, Scott Selwood and Matt Rosa, plus fringe Eagles Callum Sinclair, Brant Colledge and Fraser McInnes.

"It was a nice, contested, evenly-matched game and that's what we were looking for at this time of year," West Coast coach Adam Simpson said

"To break it open in the third quarter was pleasing, but it was the first half that I was impressed with."

Craig Bird, Ryan O'Keefe, Heath Grundy and Nick Malceski were among the Swans' best and Gary Rohan kicked three goals, but they will be looking for a big improvement in their final hit-out against the Brisbane Lions on March 8.

"We were minus-40-odd in contested ball (it was 180-139) for the game and just didn’t get our hands on the footy.

"I think we only had three inside 50s in the third quarter and we didn't win the ball, which is the most basic of basics and we didn't do it.

"I'm not thrilled."

Franklin floated in and out of the game on a tough night for all players, but showed good fitness and some strong intent just under three weeks before the season gets underway.

He was moved well up the ground at times just to ensure he got some benefits on a night when the Swans' forwards were starved of possession.

"The ball didn't really get down there and when it did it didn't come with any quality," Longmire said.

"It was just about getting some miles in (Franklin's) legs tonight, but when the ball wasn't getting down there it's a bit hard to get miles in the legs.

"So we put him up the wing at different times and hopefully we get more inside 50s next week.

"He's running fine and pressuring and competing well, we just didn't get enough of the ball forward."

A host of big-name Swans sat out, including co-captains Jarrad McVeigh and Kieren Jack, plus Josh Kennedy, Ted Richards and Ben McGlynn.

The Eagles also left plenty of blue-chip stock in Perth, notably skipper Darren Glass, Nic Naitanui, Dean Cox and reigning best and fairest Matt Priddis.

West Coast dominated the early exchanges, with Sinclair particularly dangerous, but didn't make it count on the scoreboard.

Late goals to Rohan and Dean Towers gave the Swans a one-point advantage at the first break, a lead they stretched to four points at half-time.

From there it was all West Coast, with the Eagles to round off their pre-season with another clash with Fremantle next Thursday.