After four consecutive finals appearances, there was no reason to think John Longmire's team wouldn't start the season with a bang.
The Swans are regarded as one of the most relentless, highly-respected sides in the league. Their performance was simply out of character.
Perhaps it was the loss they had to have though; after all the spotlight during the pre-season was on one man, Lance Franklin, a letdown was at some stage was only natural.
But like any good side, Sydney has recovered. They were far from their best against Collingwood, but bounced back against the Crows, a 63-point win warranting respect, particularly on the road.
Franklin, after all the hype struggled in the first fortnight of the season. But with 20 disposals, 6 marks and 4 goals on the weekend, he's a scary proposition for a team still trying to erase memories of his 13 goal haul in Launceston.
The dynamics of the Swans' forward line will take some getting used to for the former Hawk, and while Kurt Tippett and Sam Reid's absence makes things tougher, it's the attacking midfielders North will need to be wary of.
Luke Parker (4 goals), Kieren Jack (2), Jarrad McVeigh (1) and Tom Mitchell (1) can all get on the scoreboard, and the Roos' fitness will be put to the test running both ways.
The tight confines of the SCG might make it a little easier to cover space, but contested ball, another area Sydney excels will become ever-pressing.
Josh Kennedy is one of the AFL's best in the packs, while the strong bodies of Jack, Parker and Daniel Hannebery make them impossible to move.
Down back the Swans continue to get the job done in 2014. Ted Richards is one of the most consistent players in the game and after keeping Drew Petrie goalless when the teams last met will go in with plenty of confidence.
Rhyce Shaw is a welcome addition coming off a knee injury, while Heath Grundy and Nick Smith are part a reliable back six.
Stephen Coniglio and Jamie Elliott got under the guard of their opponents in the opening two rounds, and Lindsay Thomas will be looking to do the same.
And it will be interesting to see how North lines up in the ruck; Mike Pyke and Tom Derickx have formed a strong combination for the red and white in the opening rounds, while Todd Goldstein and Daniel Currie are still getting used to working together at AFL level.
Can North break the hoodoo at the SCG, a ground it hasn't won at since Corey Jones' memorable winner from the boundary back in 2004? Will the Swans' midfield depth prove too much for Brad Scott's team? Can Nathan Grima and Scott Thompson stop Franklin?
All will be revealed on Sunday.
