THE SYDNEY Swans ramped up preparations for their AFL premiership defence by swatting aside the Gold Coast by 36 points on Saturday night.

With Adam Goodes, Nick Malceski, Rhyce Shaw and Shane Mumford making their first appearances of the pre-season, the Swans dismissed any concerns over a lacklustre NAB Cup in a 0.11.14 (80) to 0.6.8 (44) stroll.

But there was some terrible news for the Swans, with young defender Alex Johnson facing a likely knee reconstruction after an incident in the first quarter.

"At this stage it looks like it'll be a knee reconstruction," coach John Longmire told reporters after the game.

"It'll be confirmed when he gets the scan but (club doctor) Nathan Gibbs is pretty sure that it's a knee reconstruction.

"It's terrible news for him and he's an important player for us, but unfortunately it happens a bit in the pre-season."

Longmire at least had some good news on the injury front, with Nick Smith (knee) a chance of playing next week's practice match against Port Adelaide and Marty Matter (hip) also an outside chance of playing.

The Swans had endured a winless pre-season prior to Saturday night, but blew off the cobwebs just three weeks out from their season-opener against Greater Western Sydney.

Only three members of last year's flag-winning side – Smith, Mattner and Mitch Morton (back) – sat out as Longmire fine-tuned his preparations.

Goodes, Malceski, Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker all kicked two goals each, with Jarrad McVeigh, fellow co-captain Kieren Jack and Dan Hannebery showing excellent touch.

The SUNS, who rested captain Gary Ablett, Karmichael Hunt and Jarrod Harbrow, were still hopeful of a competitive showing against the premiers, but it largely failed to eventuate.

Harley Bennell (two goals) was dangerous, teenager Jaeger O'Meara managed 24 possessions and Campbell Brown added two goals of his own, but the Suns were outclassed for most of the evening.

Steven May also took a nice grab early in the final term for the visitors, who at least fought back in the second half, and open their season against St Kilda at Metricon Stadium.

"We got through unscathed, no injuries, and probably like last week had a lapse, which was disappointing," coach Guy McKenna said.

"Also our execution going into forward 50 was disappointing too, but that second quarter … makes it tough against the premiers.

Apart from the Johnson incident, there was very little else of note in a subdued opening term, with Kennedy kicking the only goal for the quarter.

But the Swans sprung into life in the second quarter, responding to an early Bennell goal with six unanswered majors for a match-winning 43-point half-time lead.

The Suns now host Melbourne in a practice match next week, with the Swans traveling to AAMI Stadium to take on Port Adelaide.

What it means
The Swans made a huge leap forward on their earlier NAB Cup form and showed terrific signs nearing the start of the season. But any confidence gained from that was massively overshadowed by Johnson's injury. For the Suns, it was the second straight week of starting slowly and finishing well. Coach Guy McKenna chose to look at the positives and feels his side is on track.

What they said
"It'll be confirmed when he gets the scan but (club doctor) Nathan Gibbs is pretty sure that it's a knee reconstruction. It's terrible news for him and he's an important player for us, but unfortunately it happens a bit in the pre-season."

– Swans coach John Longmire on Alex Johnson
"No doubt. We've already shown that we are. For them to finish off the way they did in the second half is full credit to them."

– Guy McKenna when asked if his side will improve in 2013

Fantasy snapshot
Swans co-captain Jarrad McVeigh is the ultimate no-fuss footballer, but he could strike fantasy gold in 2013. With 35 possessions, eight marks and five tackles, he was head and shoulders in front of everyone else with 131 fantasy points. Gold Coast's Jaeger O'Meara had a nervous start, shanking two early kicks, but he battled back for an equal team-high 24 touches, four tackles and 89 fantasy points.

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SYDNEY SWANS 0.1.2 0.7.8 0.9.12 0.11.14 (80)
GOLD COAST 0.0.1 0.1.1 0.3.6 0.6.8 (44)

SUPERGOALS
Sydney Swans: Nil
Gold Coast: Nil

GOALS
Sydney Swans: Malceski 2, Goodes 2, Kennedy 2, Parker 2, McGlynn, Jack, Bolton
Gold Coast: Bennell 2, Brown 2, Brennan, Matera

BEST
Sydney Swans: McVeigh, Kennedy, Hannebery, Shaw, Grundy, Malceski, Bolton
Gold Coast: Bennell, O'Meara, Broughton, Rischitelli, Swallow

INJURIES
Sydney Swans: Johnson (knee), Bird (head cut)
Gold Coast: Nil
 
Reports: Nil

Umpires: McBurney, Kamolins, Armstrong

Official crowd: 1,396 at Blacktown International Sportspark