Sydney has moved a game clear atop the AFL ladder after punishing a wayward Fremantle by 48 points on Friday night, winning its fifth straight game on an emotion-charged night at Optus Stadium.

In a clash set against the backdrop of former Fremantle forward Cam McCarthy's tragic death on Thursday, the Swans produced a relentless pressure performance and then took their chances, winning 13.9 (87) to 4.15 (39).

It was a clinical road win that left Fremantle unable to execute, setting up a mouth-watering Friday night clash for the Swans against Carlton at the SCG next Friday night as they look to continue their best start to a season in the Harbour City. 

While Fremantle will rue inaccuracy after repeatedly sending set shots wide, they were never allowed to get the game on their terms for an extended period and were shown up by a hardened contender which has few flaws.

In an incredibly even team performance, star midfielder Isaac Heeney stood out with 28 disposals and eight clearances, while Will Hayward booted a game-high four goals. 

Explosive midfielder Chad Warner lifted at key moments and was able to break through congestion to finish with 23 disposals and two goals, while ruckman Brodie Grundy (32 hitouts) gave his onballers first use in a battle with Luke Jackson. 

The Swans' pressure was red hot from the opening quarter, with Heeney laying a big tackle on Nat Fyfe to create one of three early goals as the Swans built a 14-point lead as Freo squandered chances at the other end. 

It took some fast feet from Brandon Walker late in the term to finally convert for Fremantle from outside 50, but it was a brief moment of relief before the Swans turned the screws in a dominant second quarter. 

Warner launched the visitors' six-goal run in the opening minute when he exploded off the mark and converted from long-range before Joel Amartey kicked back-to-back goals that were created following Fremantle turnovers. 

In total, five of the Swans' six straight goals for the quarter were created by turnovers, out-tackling Freo 15-10 for the quarter and bringing a sustained level of pressure that forced their opponents into rushed decisions and messy disposals. 

Trailing by 40 points, it was hard to see a path forward for Fremantle in the second half if they couldn't first weather the Swans' pressure and then take their chances.

They managed the first, winning the contested ball, playing the game in their half, and finding targets inside 50 through their best period in the game. But goals remained elusive as Josh Treacy, Jeremy Sharp, Pat Voss and Michael Frederick all missed chances, leaving the Swans 43-points clear at the last break.

Emotional Freo Dockers pay tribute to former teammate
Cam McCarthy was remembered pre-game as Fremantle and Sydney players lined the edge of the centre square to observe a moment of silence that turned to an extended applause. Eleven of McCarthy's ex-teammates were playing on Friday night, and several were visibly emotional during the tribute, which remembered McCarthy as a kind and easy-going person who loved his family, his teammates and his footy. Fremantle fans then paid their own tribute to McCarthy, rising at the 23-minute mark of the first quarter to applaud the former No.23, who played 70 AFL games with Greater Western Sydney and Fremantle between 2014-2020.

FREMANTLE     1.5     1.8     2.13     4.15 (39)
SYDNEY           3.0     9.0     11.2     13.9 (87)

GOALS
Fremantle: Sharp 2, Treacy, Walker 
Sydney: Hayward 4, Amartey 2, Warner 2, Florent, Lloyd, McDonald, McLean, Papley

BEST 
Fremantle: Serong, Sharp, Ryan, Brayshaw, Pearce
Sydney: Heeney, Warner, Hayward, Grundy Florent, Blakey, Rampe

INJURIES
Fremantle: Nil 
Sydney: Nil  

SUBSTITUTES
Fremantle: Michael Walters (replaced Michael Frederick at three-quarter time)
Sydney: Robbie Fox (replaced Dane Rampe in the fourth quarter)

Crowd: 46,198 at Optus Stadium