Sydney's 2003 AFL campaign is in danger of prematurely deflating after a 42-point loss to Hawthorn put the Swans at the tail end of the ladder with a tough month ahead.

Sydney slipped to a 1-3 record, making next week's Anzac Day clash with Melbourne critical as appointments with competition heavyweights Brisbane and Collingwood follow.

In only the third encounter behind these two teams at the MCG, the Swans bounced out to an early three-goal lead but folded thereafter to go down 17.8 (110) to 10.8 (68).

Sydney's Andrew Schauble had a set shot on goal from just 15 metres out to post his team's fourth goal before Hawthorn had registered a score, but missed and from there the Hawks first wore down and then drew away from the Swans.

It was a match of little quality, serving mainly to illuminate the deficit of both skill and confidence in both line-ups, with the Hawks to benefit after burying the previous week's annihilation by Port Adelaide.

The Swans were able to match the home team for run and weight of possession for much of the match, but the forward line malfunctioned.

Barry Hall was the main target but the big man had to battle against ordinary delivery of the ball and improved opponent Jonathan Hay.

Alongside Hall, Michael O'Loughlin looked out of sorts in his first match back from a knee injury while recruit Nick Davis was humbled by the resolute Campbell Brown and spent time on the bench.

Hawthorn led by two points entering the third term, which was a dreadful error-riddled exhibition in which neither side looked willing to take the initiative.

Finally Hawthorn gained the ascendancy nearing three-quarter time as Ben Dixon and ruckman Peter Everitt goaled to eke the advantage out to 15 points at the last change.

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