The Sydney Swans have begun the long and arduous road back from the reputational hit the week's allegedly abhorrent conduct inflicted on the club, doing enough to dispose of North Melbourne on Sunday afternoon.

The Harbour City club's lineup featured considerably fewer stars, and far more lesser lights than have been seen this season, as was to be expected given the strict bans the club handed to its five offending players. Those remaining were steely in notching the 17.20 (122) to 10.10 (70) victory.

Youngster Jesse Dattoli was heavily involved up forward, albeit wayward, while Billy Cootee's three goals and Jai Serong's utility were also features of the victory. Angus Sheldrick, shouldering more responsibility at the coalface, posted six clearances, to go with seven score involvements. Braeden Campbell led all comers with 11 score involvements.

Stars not to be embroiled in last week's conduct, in Brodie Grundy and Errol Gulden, were customarily busy for the side, as they look to salvage something from a season that instantaneously descended into a mire, on Monday morning.

Gulden posted a mammoth 41 disposals, six clearances and the most metres gained on the ground, with 1055, while Grundy was instrumental around the contest, posting 26 disposals, 27 disposals, and seven clearances of his own, as he looks for another All-Australian blazer.

Recruit Charlie Curnow's Coleman coronation was also underscored, as he booted three goals, but also succumbed to the scourge of inaccuracy, potting four behinds, too.

The Swans withstood a spirited middle-stages comeback from a North Melbourne with nothing but pride on the line, but were ultimately too classy to be reeled in by Alastair Clarkson's men.

The win gives the Swans some momentum heading into a September campaign most have already labeled as one without much promise. The young brigade will be better for the run, but it remains to be seen how they fare when the lights are brightest, in a fortnight's time.

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