The Swans proved far too good today for the Saints, leading the match from start to finish.
Sydney have lost Josh Kennedy for at least 2 weeks which is their only negative out of today’s match.
The win will be a boost to their percentage points and the side is set to finish in 1st position.
St Kilda had glimpses of good play, but they couldn’t beat the forward press of the Swans.
FINAL SCORE:
SYDNEY 19.13.127
ST KILDA 8.8.56
The Sydney Swans host the St Kilda Saints on Saturday afternoon at the SCG. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 1:45pm (AEST).
As the Saints players swap St Kilda for Bondi, they will look to grab their second top four scalp of the year.
With Hawthorn having a difficult game against Fremantle, a healthy win over St Kilda could see Sydney at the top of the ladder.
St Kilda are 18th, a new found feeling for all Saints fans, with it being nearly 15 years since the Saints finished 16th, a lofty position they can only hope to stumble up to.
The majority of the key statistics favour Sydney – they have more average disposals, contested possessions, tackles and a new statistic the AFL have titled ‘one percenters’. Which surely must be fist bumps and calls of ‘if you need’. Sydney have written to the AFL asking for an exception on the one percernter statistic, arguing that the cost of living requires 10 percenters.
Sydney will be without Rhyce Shaw and Ben McGlynn, whilst St Kilda will be without Jack Billings, Josh Bruce and Brodie Murdoch.
Last week Saint Kilda were playing a mediocre Bulldogs side and it was as if no one mentioned it was Lenny Hayes 300th until three quarter time. A flurry of helpful free kicks and accurate kicking by James Gwilt in the final quarter had the Saints within 9 points. The Bulldogs corrected, winning by a comfortable 23 points.
Usually coaches say they need to get the side playing ‘four quarters’, however Alan Richardson can barely get one consistent quarter out of the young side.
Sydney had a solid win against Port Adelaide last round, with the Radeliadeans persisting but the arm reach that Sydney extended was applauded as ‘classy’ and sured up their premiership credentials.
The game is the cliché the AFL are working so hard to remove. It’s second playing last, at home, interstate. This game will be forgotten not too long after it’s finished, Sydney will be tipped by everyone, except the most ardent Saints fans.
However Saint Kilda have to remove this negative mentality, they need to get the result which will reverberate throughout the country, as people check the paper twice to confirm St Kilda did actually win and your perfect tipping round was ended by the second game.
But unfortunately Saint Kilda don’t have the confidence or the ability to upset Sydney. They don’t, do they?
Sydney by 48 points.
Maggie
Guest
I think you need to look at the ladder and reconsider the first part of that comment. And the fact that you can't get the top eight right now, very near the end of the season, shows how silly the second part of your comment is, as you assume the AFL has perfect foresight of which teams will be in the top eight when they draw up the schedule long before he season commences.
Maggie
Guest
For future reference, the Swans player is Gary Rohan, not Gary Rowan.
john
Guest
up until last weekend hawthorn and Sydney had played 9 top 8 teams each now hawthorn has 3 more too play while Sydney none.sydney will finish top beacuase of the afl manipulating the draw.might as well give Andrew demetriou the norm smith medal
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
FULL TIME. Swans too good today, with St Kilda always a few kicks away. They've lost Kennedy for at least 2 weeks which is ithe only negative out of today. The win will be a boost to their percentage points, they're set to finish 1st. St Kilda had glimpses of good play, but they can't beat the forward press of the Swans. Lance Franklin 9.4 - 58 St Kilda 8.8 - 56 Sydney Swans 19.13 - 127 St Kilda 8.8 - 56
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
Weller has kicked 40 metres in to the crowd. McVeigh runs along the wing and goes inside 50 to Franklin. He has one last chance to kick his 10th. It's a horrible kick, out on the full.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
Hannebury tries to find Franklin but he does his best but it's out of bounds. Consecutive throw ins inside the Swans 50. McVeigh peels off and marks with a grin that is surely salt into the Saints wounds. Just under 2 minutes to go. Can Buddy kick his 10th?
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
Stanley with a smart kick to Riewoldt, he passes it, the next guy doesn't want the responsibility so Stanley finishes what he started from 55. Sydney 127 St Kilda 56
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
Newnes with a brave mark in the Swans forward 50. Shenton marks outside 50 and finds Riewoldt. Nick Riewodlt kicks his third to reduce the margin. Sydney 127 St Kilda 50
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
Tippett is caught high and plays on, kicks his third. Sydney 127 St Kildan 44
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
Saints players run backwards, turn around, and the kick inside 50 is intercepted by Malceski.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
Sam Fischer does well to punch the ball through for a rushed behind. Crowd is growing in decibels. Ray with a clever kick to Shenton but the saints can't break through. Jack creates the turn over and hit's Franklin, right on 50. It's touched on the mark so it won't count. Laidler smothers Montagna's kick. Schnieder takes two bounces, decides against going for goal and non chalantly Stanley kicks high and accurately. Sydney 120 St Kilda 43
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
Rowan breaks through the pack and bombs in forward for Towers to run onto. He believes his volleyed into the crowd for a goal. Goal review is being used. Just pay it! The review was inconclusive, so it's umpires call. The wonders of technology. Sydney 119 St Kilda 37
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
Parker runs into free space after turn over, goal. Sydney 113 St Kilda 37
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
Rowan marks in Sydney's defensive 50, whilst also ducking the saints late punch. Tippet marks outside 50 kicks to Lance Franklin one on one. No other option but a Buddy mark. His set shot for his 10th goal is an absolute degenerate. Swans by 70 with 14 minutes to go.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
St Kilda activate their sub, Shenton on for Qwilt. Not sure if it's an injury concern, but I feel there saints more deserving of an early break. Tippett marks and misses to the right. Not sure if he couldn't the see the sticks through Buddy's shadow.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
Start of the third quarter here. Lenny Hayes marks in the circle, he hits Steven. His kick is poor and Rowan managers to dribble the ball like a basketballer through the middle, ball falls to Franklin. He steps one, realises he's on live tv and stesp the next poor bloke, and kicks his 9th. Sydney 105 St Kilda 37
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
Delaney handball is intercepted by Jetta and his quick shot hits the post. St Kilda kick out of defense is parried out of bounds. Three quarter time: Sydney 99 St Kilda 37
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
Goodes has been pinged for "Unrealistic marking attempt", which is subjective judgment umpire. Riewoldt marks and then falls over. Steven battles against 2 swans, the bounce goes his way and he pokes it through for a cheeky goal. Sydney 98 St Kilda 37
Peter Baudinette
Roar Guru
This is pretty much how you would expect a top 4 side, even an injury depleted top 4 side, to account for the bottom team.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
Delaney as a child always wanted to be a truck, he relives his childhood dream and crashes through the pack. A sneaky free kick leads to the Swans 14th goal through Kurt Tippett. Sydney 98 St Kilda 31