Swans superstar Barry Hall showed he was revving up for the business end of the AFL season with a menacing display in Sydney's percentage-boosting 66-point victory over Richmond.

The big man bullied the young Tigers' defence by booting six goals for his biggest haul of the season in Sydney's 21.12 (138) to 10.12 (72) victory at the SCG.

But more important was the way the Swans co-captain went about his work as he moved freely and ruffled up the Richmond backmen with his imposing presence.

The most telling sign that Hall was back to his bustling best was in the second term when he shook off three attempted tackles by two defenders before curling home his fourth goal.

Just a month after there were doubts he would play out the season because of a groin complaint, Hall collected 18 disposals and 10 marks in towelling up Luke McGuane, who was given defensive duties on him for most of the night.

The victory firmed up the Swans' (9-8 win-loss record) post-season plans before next week's clash with Melbourne in Canberra while things just gets tougher for the wooden-spoon bound Tigers.

They next face the red-hot Geelong at Skilled Stadium in what looms as one of the mis-matches of the season.

Swans coach Paul Roos felt Hall had benefited from missing last weekend's match against West Coast in Perth and two of the past five rounds.

"I think we thought maybe he would come back and (kick) two or three goals but to get six and look like he did tonight certainly was worthwhile," Roos said.

The premiership-winning mentor said it was vital the co-captain was back in the groove as the Swans attempt another late-season surge.

"It is important, we need out best players playing well to give us our best chance," he said.

"It is really important that guys like Hally play some really good footy.

However, Roos felt that Hall was still some way from 100 per cent.

"I think he really does not still have that sharp pace but thankfully he had a really good level of fitness so he was able to run reasonably well for long distances it is just that short spurt of speed that he really has (that is missing)."

Sydney sharpshooter Nick Davis also enjoyed an evening out with four goals while Tigers spearhead Matthew Richardson was kept goal-less courtesy of Craig Bolton's close checking and Richmond's team poor delivery.

The Tigers were still in the match at half-time before the Swans put them away with a seven goals to three third quarter.

Adam Goodes put in a typically tireless performance for the Swans with 20 touches and 10 marks.

It was the Swans' biggest winning margin of the season, eclipsing their previous largest win of 62 points against Carlton a fortnight ago.

The Swans were expected to crush the Tigers in their push for a post-season berth.

It all looked on track early on with Peter Everitt snagging the opening two goals at full forward as the Swans cruised out to a three-major advantage halfway through the first term.

However, the Tigers sliced to the deficit to just seven points at quarter time with Nathan Brown, who booted three majors for the match, and Shane Edwards booting the last two goals of the term.

The home side threatened to blow the visitors away in the second term with Hall booting three of his four first-half goals but the Tigers again snuck under the Swans' guard.

They booted the last two goals to keep within 17 points and striking distance at the main break.

Richmond coach Terry Wallace praised Hall's return to form.

"He could have rested this week for us," he joked.

"No look, he is a champion player and you never keep champion players down all the time.

"It just shows that our great players in the game if they get the ability to have a break and get a rest in periods of time how strong they can actually come back in the game."

The Tigers face an uphill battle to avoid finishing last for the second time in four years with matches against the Cats, Collingwood and West Coast over the next three weeks.

Wallace pleaded with fans to give him time for his young group to mature.

"I know our supporters lose faith in where we are going and what we are trying to do but when you throw that many young boys in there it is just going to take time and we have one or two choices," he said.

"We throw in guys that are 26 or 27 but not really taking us anywhere or we give these young guys a chance."

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