The Swans were widely touted to be the league’s big improvers and lived up to the hype by crushing last season’s grand finalists.

Federal narrowly missed finals last season but the arrival of rookie coach Jack Neil alongside recruits Ohlin, Mark and Adam Cole, Andrew and Matt Hill, Jarrod Stephenson and Jacob Collins have transformed them into a side capable of playing deep into September.

The Swans midfield dominated from the outset with Mark Cole and Andrew Hill relishing the lower standard after crossing from Dederang-Mount Beauty.

The damaging duo continually pumped the ball inside 50 and and ran hard all day as Ohlin provided a strong marking and deadly accurate forward target.

Neil said he didn’t know what to expect in his first match at the helm.

“It was a promising start to the season,” he said.

“Playing last season’s grand finalists we thought would be a good test but I never thought the score would blow out like it did.

“We got to play our sort of footy and couldn’t be happier with the result considering it was the first match.

“Apparently they had a few big names missing and will no doubt be a lot better once those players come back into the side.”

The match was the only one played in the competition after the Swans and Demons transferred their round 13 clash to Anzac Day.

Round one will commence next week with Federal hosting Border-Walwa.

Cudgewa and Corryong will clash in a replay of last year’s grand final while Tumbarumba will travel to Bullioh.