Lance Franklin and his fellow tall forwards overwhelmed the Western Bulldogs as Sydney powered their way to a 63-point AFL win on Sunday at Etihad Stadium.

Franklin booted six goals, Kurt Tippett scored four and Adam Goodes bagged two as the Swans improved their win-loss record to 17-4 with a 20.10 (130) to 9.13 (67) victory in front of a vocal crowd of 22,430.

A third Coleman Medal and a first in Sydney colours is almost assured for Franklin, whose tally is 67 with one round remaining.

His 2013 Hawthorn premiership teammate Jarryd Roughead is second on 58.

Luke Parker and Jarrad McVeigh were two of the headline acts in Sydney’s dominant midfield, and All-Australian half-back contender Nick Malceski kicked two goals in another brilliant all-round performance.

Tom Liberatore, Jack Macrae and Nathan Hrovat were prominent for the under-siege Bulldogs, who have lost four of their past five games.

The ladder-leading Swans in contrast have won 16 of their past 17 matches.

Sydney stunned the Bulldogs early with a seven-goal opening term to lead 7.3 (45) to 1.2 (8) at quarter-time.

The home side were able to match Sydney’s four-goal effort in the second term and the Swans led by 36 points at halftime, 11.5 (71) to 5.5 (35).

Sydney put their foot on the Bulldogs’ throat with a six-goal third term including three goals in the first six minutes and by three-quarter time there was little bark in the home side as the Swans held a 57-point advantage, 17.7 (109) to 7.10 (52).

Tippett was kept in cotton wool, subbed off for the final term, as the Swans added another three goals to the Bulldogs’ two.

Key forward Sam Reid was a late withdrawal from Sydney’s selected side with a hip complaint.

Sydney host Richmond at ANZ Stadium next Saturday in the last round and the Bulldogs face the Giants at Etihad Stadium the following day.