Sydney has ended North Melbourne's red-hot start to the season, downing the previously undefeated Kangaroos by 11 points at Marvel Stadium.
The 10.11 (71) to 8.12 (60) win is the Swans' sixth from their past seven games against the Kangaroos.
Jy Simpkin (26 disposals, eight clearances, one goal) continued his exceptional start to 2020 with another brilliant display in the midfield in the absence of Ben Cunnington (back), while Todd Goldstein (18 disposals, 35 hitouts, nine clearances) was prolific, but made some uncharacteristic errors early in the game.
North started brightly with two goals in the first five minutes, both through Ben Brown, but the Swans wrested back control and asserted their dominance, booting seven of the next eight goals to give the Swans a 27-point lead at the final change.
The Kangas rallied midway through the final term to boot three goals in six minutes, starting with Brown's third, but the Swans held firm to seal the victory.
Sydney's celebrations were soured by concern for forward Tom McCartin, who failed to play out the game after hitting his head on the turf in a marking contest during the final quarter.
NORTH MELBOURNE 2.3 3.9 5.11 8.12 (60)
SYDNEY 2.1 5.3 10.8 10.11 (71)
GOALS
North Melbourne: Brown 3, Zurhaar, Ahern, Hall, Dumont, Simpkin
Sydney: Papley 2, McLean, Hayward, Dawson, Blakey, Heeney, Rowbottom, Taylor, Parker
BEST
North Melbourne: Simpkin, Goldstein, Tarrant, Hall,
Sydney: Heeney, Kennedy, Parker, Florent, Lloyd
INJURIES
North Melbourne: Ben Cunnington (back) replaced in selected side by Aiden Bonar
Sydney: McCartin (concussion), Justin McInerney replaced in selected side by Hayden McLean