Sydney gave Adam Goodes something to smile about at the end of a tumultuous week with a 52-point home win over Adelaide on Saturday at the SCG.

Coming off successive thrashings by Hawthorn and West Coast – and without Goodes, who is on indefinite leave after persistent vilification by opposing fans – Sydney powered their way to a 17.15 (117) to 9.11 (65) victory.

The win, witnessed by 38,690 spectators, Sydney’s highest home crowd of the season, moves the Swans above Richmond back into fourth spot.

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Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett, who was playing against his former club for the first time, each kicked three first-half goals as Sydney produced their highest-scoring first quarter and half of the season.

They had 6.2 on the board by quarter-time and 11.5 at half-time to establish leads of 24 and 43 points at the first two breaks.

Adelaide pulled the deficit back to 37 at the last change, but Sydney kicked four goals to two in the final quarter.

Sydney’s win was set up by much-improved performances from their key midfielders, who racked up plenty of possessions and goals after lacklustre form in the two previous games.

Dan Hannebery (40 possessions, three goals), Luke Parker (30 and two goals) and Josh Kennedy (32 and two goals) were among six Sydney players to tally 30 or more touches.

Tom Lynch kicked three goals for Adelaide with Josh Jenkins and Taylor Walker adding two each.

The Crows secured more uncontested possessions but had 128 fewer disposals and lacked the penetration in midfield and efficiency up forward to trouble Sydney.

Vince (L) is hugged by Melbourne team-mate Angus Brayshaw. Photo: Getty

Lewis Jetta started the Sydney bandwagon rolling with a goal in the first minute and promptly produced a celebratory dance.

While Goodes was nowhere to be seen, there were plenty of tributes to him before and during the game, including the Swans’ supporters rising for a standing ovation at the seven-minute mark of the third quarter to honour his No.37 guernsey.

Earlier, Collingwood suffered their sixth straight loss as Melbourne upset them 13.13 (91) to 7.12 (54) at the MCG.

The Demons burst out of the blocks, kicking four goals to one in the first quarter, and although the Magpies narrowed the margin to eight points at the final change, they ran out of steam.

Bernie Vince was best afield with 30 disposals and three goals for Melbourne. Jesse Hogan also kicked three for the winners.

Dane Swan had 36 disposals for the Magpies and Alex Fasolo booted three goals but they sorely missed injured forward Travis Cloke.

And Geelong thrashed Brisbane by 56 points at Simonds Stadium, with Josh Walker kicking five in their 17.11 (113) to 8.9 (57) victory.

The Cats, who have a tough run to end the season, are aiming for a ninth consecutive finals campaign.

They started brightly and led by 22 points at half-time before a six-goal-to-two third term settled the result.

Josh Caddy had 29 disposals for the Cats and Joel Selwood had 27. Big man Stefan Martin was Brisbane’s best.