Rumours of Sydney's AFL demise appear to have been premature after they stunned reigning premiers Hawthorn by 38 points at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.

Given little chance heading into the match and widely tipped to slide down the ladder after six straight seasons of finals football, Sydney responded in style to triumph 22.11 (143) to 15.15 (105) and leave the Hawks win-less after two rounds.

Sydney's veterans showed they still have some petrol left in their ageing tanks, with Adam Goodes and Barry Hall kicking four goals each and Brett Kirk shutting down Hawks skipper Sam Mitchell.

Craig Bolton got the better of his duel with Hawthorn superstar Buddy Franklin, who had little impact, while Darren Jolly and Jesse White excelled in the ruck and debutant Brett Meredith also showed good signs.

It was a very different story for the Hawks, however, who failed to have a winner anywhere on the ground and have now started their title defence 0-2.

Panned last week after they failed to kick a goal in the second and third quarters in their opening round loss to St Kilda, Sydney dominated the Hawks after quarter time.

Trailing by two goals after the first period, the Swans kicked five goals in the second quarter and then piled on eight in the third term to open up a 21-point lead at three quarter-time.

Sydney then cruised home in the final quarter in front of 33,116 fans at Homebush Bay.

It all looked very different in the early stages, when Hawthorn put three goals on the board inside the opening six minutes.

Sydney managed to settle and enjoyed a good period of play against a lethargic looking Hawthorn side, but they weren't able to hurt the Hawks on the scoreboard.

But it began turning the Swans' way after the first term, with a White goal after the halftime siren putting them behind by just two points at the main break.

A commanding third quarter then set up a victory that indicates Sydney are far from a spent force in 2009.

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