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Sydney have overcome ruckman Callum Sinclair's opening-minute shoulder injury to record a 42-point AFL win over Gold Coast at the SCG.

Sydney face an AFL ruck crisis in the wake of Callum Sinclair's dislocated shoulder, which overshadowed Saturday's resilient 42-point win over Gold Coast at the SCG.

The Swans' first goal in the low-scoring scrap didn't come until the 15th minute but they showed enough desperation, led by co-captains Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker in the middle, and enough adaptability, via Aliir Aliir, to triumph easily after a slow start.

The hosts busted the turnover-laden contest open with four goals to one in the third term, eventually prevailing 14.9 (93) to 7.9 (51).

Sinclair dislocated his shoulder in the opening minute of the game while being tackled to the ground by Will Brodie.

The ruckman returned to the field late in the first quarter but trudged off in the arms of trainers at quarter-time, having dislocated the same shoulder again, and played no further part in the match.

It meant chaos in the coaches' box as John Longmire reshuffled his magnets.

Aliir was shifted from defence into the middle, where he was predictably smashed in ruck contests by Suns skipper Jarrod Witts (55 hitouts), but he booted a goal and helped the Swans to shift momentum.

Sam Reid, one of five Swans forwards to boot two goals, also spent a lot of time in the ruck.

Returning young gun Tom McCartin, who Longmire had backed to fill the void left by hamstrung superstar Franklin's enforced omission, was redeployed as a backman and did well to cover Aliir's absence.

"It's been extraordinary ... I think it's eight weeks now, we haven't finished a game off without losing a player," Longmire said.

"We've been able to show really strong resilience ... they've been able to adapt really well.

"Tommy McCartin has played a handful of games, goes in with his planning all week as a forward. Then within 10 seconds, he plays down back. He did a good job for us.

"Aliir did well .. he gives you some real spring around the ball."

Sam Naismith is still recovering from a knee reconstruction while fellow ruckman Darcy Cameron (quad) is also on the sidelines.

It means mid-year draftee Michael Knoll will likely make his AFL debut next week, when the Swans' push for an unlikely finals spot continues against Essendon at the MCG.

However, Longmire wouldn't rule out playing Aliir as a pinch-hitting ruckman again.

"We'll see how he (Sinclair) is on Monday," he said.

Reid, Nick Blakey, Tom Papley, Ben Ronke and Isaac Heeney combined for 10 goals as a delighted Franklin watched on from the box.

Blakey was crunched by Witts in a brutal first-quarter marking contest that prompted several Swans to remonstrate.

"He got a free kick, kicked a goal. Played the rest of the game," Suns coach Stuart Dew said, when asked about the prospect of the match review officer scrutinising the hit.

"That's fine by me."