Playing his first game in more than a year, the 26-year-old kicked the game's opener after taking a strong contested mark.

He followed it up with an under-pressure snap from 50m in the last term that not only brought the Swans back within two points, but marked the first two-goal haul of his career.

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Thurlow finished the game with five marks and 15 touches - the fourth-most of any Swan - and won praise from teammate Callum Sinclair after the game.

"A big pump up to Jacko Thurlow, he popped up with two goals as well," Sinclair said to SwansTV.

"He came in and played a really vital role for us and it was good to see him put the boots on this week."

Pick 16 in the 2012 national draft, Thurlow played 46 games with Geelong between 2013 and 2018 before being traded to Sydney.

The 2011 TSL premiership defender played nine games, including his 50^th career game, in his first season at the Swans, but did not feature after round 12.

Thursday's game marked Thurlow's 56^th career match and coincided with the 50^th game of Magpie Brody Mihocek, who also played in the 2011 TSL decider.

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