In a weekend of low score lines across the league, often expected in the cut and thrust of finals, the Sydney Swans’ forward line was at its most damaging.

Led by Lance Franklin (four goals) and Callum Sinclair (three goals), Sydney recorded not only the highest score of week one but its fourth highest score for the year and second highest finals score for 11 years in the 19.7 (121) to 8.8 (56) elimination final win against Essendon.

Franklin sparked the onslaught. Playing through the discomfort of a corked thigh, the star forward flicked the switch in the second term to kick four goals in his team’s 10-goal quarter, turning an 11-point quarter-time lead into a 61-point buffer by the major break.

It was the Swans highest score ever recorded in a quarter during a final.

Unlike the Round 14 thriller between the two teams earlier this season, there was no epic comeback from the Bombers this time as the Sydney Swans stayed in control of the match after half-time to run out big winners and secure a spot in the semi-final against Geelong this Friday night.

“We didn’t sit back on our heels after the first half and that was really pleasing,” Nic Newman told SwansTV post-match.

“It was probably the start of the third where they got a little bit of a run on but we were able to arrest that and play pretty close to four quarters.”

The young defender said while Franklin stamped his authority on the game, the second quarter avalanche “flowed” from a different source.

Call it bias from the young defender but there is merit in crediting the league’s stingiest defence to Round 24.

“It starts with our team defence, that’s what gets our offence flowing,” he added.

“We got it in there tonight to our forwards, and they did the job for us. It was a great effort from our forwards to kick a winning score.”

Newman and co needed to be at their best on Saturday evening, given Essendon’s dangerous forward line, which averaged 97 points a game during the home and away season.

They were restricted to 56 points, the third lowest of the elimination and qualifying rounds, with Joe Daniher (three goals) “playing a lone forward-line hand” according to AFL.com.au’s Michael Whiting.

“We knew if you give them time and space, their forwards are damaging the way they play (and) their ball movement is quick,” Newman added.

“We were aware of that and we thought we did a good job of shutting that down.

“And the pressure from midfielders and forwards helped the backs out.”