Young Swan Harry Cunningham says the side is rapt with the intent it showed from the get-go on Saturday, after Sydney raced to a nine-goal first term on its way to a percentage-boosting win over St Kilda.

The Swans had won their last 13 of 14 games at Etihad Stadium and didn’t miss a beat on return to their happy hunting ground, taking a 48-point lead into quarter-time en route to a 71-point victory.

Cunningham said a full-throttle start was the order for the night.

“We put a big focus on coming out and starting really fast and we were able to do that and progress from there,” Cunningham told SwansTV post-match.

“It’s always good when you can get off to a good start. It sets a good platform for the rest of the game and we were able to carry it out for the rest of the match.”

A litany of contributors jumped on board in the gallant opening quarter, star forward Lance Franklin and ruckman Callum Sinclair booting two goals as Luke Parker, Tom McCartin, Tom Papley, Isaac Heeney and Zak Jones all troubled the scorers themselves.

The Swans’ nine first-quarter goals came from 13 entries inside 50 in a display of outstanding efficiency in front of the sticks, but the flurry of goals was built on the midfielders’ relentless attack on the football.

Josh Kennedy (31 touches, six clearances, five inside 50s, one goal) was strong across the duration of the game, while Heeney complemented his first-term goal with 27 disposals, six clearances and four inside 50s.

George Hewett (19 possessions, five clearances) found plenty of the Sherrin and kept star St Kilda midfielder Jack Steven to just 13 touches in an important tagging role.

Parker tallied 25 disposals and two goals in an influential performance in the midfield and when ‘resting’ as a forward, while Oliver Florent (27 touches, four inside 50s) was one of the Swans’ best off the back of claiming the Round 11 Rising Star nomination.

Florent’s outside run was also a stand-out, as was the pace of Cunningham and Rohan and Jones’ dash and measured ball movement off halfback.

Callum Sinclair (14 possessions, 29 hit-outs, two goals) stamped his impact on the match, while the likes of Heath Grundy, Dane Rampe and Jarrad McVeigh continually cut off the Saints’ go-forward and moved the ball well from the back half.

Cunningham said the Swans did the basics well.

“We put a focus on getting at them and sticking our tackles and then winning the ball ourselves,” Cunningham said.

“That’s what we focus on every week and it was good to be able to get it done.”