Waalitj Marawar's first season under Daisy Pearce has ended in disappointing fashion following a 46-point loss to Sydney in a fiery clash at Henson Park.

The Swans' campaign has been derailed by injuries to key players but with gun midfielder Laura Gardiner back to her best, last year's finalists snapped a six-match losing streak with a 10.14 (74) to 4.4 (28) victory over the Eagles on Saturday afternoon.

The defeat is the Eagles' fifth on the trot in a tough run that knocked them out of finals contention after a promising start.

Bella Lewis gave Waalitj Marawar hope as the 21-year-old gathered 23 disposals in her 50th match, while Ella Roberts (20) finished a fine season in style and Charlie Thomas (23) added plenty of drive.

Amy Franklin booted two goals in the opening term and finished with three but in the end the Eagles lacked the firepower to go with the Swans.

The retiring Brooke Lochland lifted the Swans with their first goal during an evenly matched opening term but it was Bec Privitelli that broke the game open after the break.

00:51

Western tears across field in this GOTY contender

Mikayla Western may have earned herself a GOTY nomination after this massive effort is finished off with a scorching major

The Swans' key forward booted two goals as the hosts took advantage of a strong, swirling breeze to open up what proved to be a match-winning lead in the second term, though Privitelli might rue missing the opportunity to kick a bag of her own while finishing with 3.3.

Gardiner reminded the Swans of what they had missed when she was sidelined in the middle of their stretch of defeats, as the 2023 All-Australian gathered a game-high 26 disposals in her second game back from injury. 

While the second-year Swan typically does most of her damage around the stoppages, Gardiner was just as influential in helping lock the ball forward with eight inside-50s against the Eagles.

The Swans still controlled the stoppages with Tanya Kennedy (18 disposals, six clearances) taking command, while young guns Sofia Hurley (20, five) and Cynthia Hamilton (15, two) also helped match the Eagles' onball brigade. 

In a highlight for the visitors, Mikayla Western took matters into her own hands in the second term after sprinting clear from a pack near the Eagles' defensive 50m arc and breaking the play open with a perfectly weighted pass to Sarah Lakay on the wing.

Western kept running hard into space to receive a handpass from Bella Lewis then crossed into the forward 50m and to within goalkicking range.

The 26-year-old slotted the team-lifting major on the run to help keep the Eagles in touch with the Swans and make a late play for goal of the year. 

Tempers flared following the three-quarter time siren when Eagles defenders floored Bella Smith after the Swans forward booted her third goal to stretch the margin to 23 points. 

But the visitors were unable to bring the heat after the last change as they went scoreless while the Swans kept them at arm's length to set up Smith for a career-high five-goal haul.

Waalitj Marawar's campaign ended with a 4-7 record and percentage of 62.9 - double last year's win tally and more than 12 per cent higher.

SYDNEY                                   2.2       5.6       7.9       10.14 (74)

WAALITJ MARAWAR               2.2       3.2       4.4       4.4 (28)

GOALS

Sydney: Smith 5, Privitelli 3, Lochland, C.Hamilton

Waalitj Marawar: Franklin 3, Western

BEST                          

Sydney: Gardiner, Kennedy, Smith, Hurley, Privitelli, C.Hamilton

Waalitj Marawar: Thomas, Roberts, Lakay, Lewis

INJURIES 

Sydney: Nil

Waalitj Marawar: Nil

Crowd: 2,685 at Henson Park