The Sydney Swans all but locked in a top four spot on Sunday with a 97-point win over St Kilda in Adam Schneider’s last AFL game.
>>MATCH REPORT: Swans swoop into top four with win over Saints
St Kilda 4.14.38 def. by Sydney 20.15.135
The Sydney Swans will hope to maintain their form going into the AFL finals when they face the St Kilda Saints at Etihad Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3:20pm (AEST).
The Saints proved last week that they are willing to give every side they face a run for their money towards the back end of the season despite being in the midst of their rebuilding phase.
Their admirable drive only saw them come away with a draw last time around, but they will be looking to be a larger thorn in the side of a refreshed Sydney team this week.
A loss here could be costly for the Swans and their second chance hopes come finals time, as they are currently only a win in front of Richmond in fifth.
With that in mind, it is an important game for Sydney, and they will know not to underestimate their 13th placed opponents. Coming off a season-high score and win against Greater Western Sydney, the Swans will be confident that they can put a good foot forward towards securing that top-four position.
On top of that, Sydney have dominated this fixture of late, winning six of their last seven encounters against the Saints, including the last four. However, the Saints won the only game of the last five between the two that was played at Etihad Stadium.
It is also the second week in a row that St Kilda will be playing against a higher placed side at Etihad Stadium that has dominated them in recent years, and they should be boosted mentally having pushed Geelong to the wire last week.
There are a few key inclusions this week for both sides.
Recent retiree Adam Schneider comes in for his final game of AFL football alongside Sean Dempster and Dylan Roberton in the starting 22, as well as Tom Simpkin and David Armitage who were named on an extended bench.
Lance Franklin, who kicked nine goals last time against the Saints, comes back into the side with Gary Rohan in the Swans’ starting 22, and Tom Mitchell named on the extended bench.
These changes add a good mix of experience and flair to the game, which should make for some good contests.
Prediction
I said the same thing about St Kilda’s opponents last week, and I will dare to say it again – this game means too much for the Swans for them to lose. Their hardworking midfield and potent forward line should prove too much for the Saints, but expect a good fight.
Swans by 29 points
Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3:20pm (AEST).
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Thank you for joining me once again, I hope you enjoyed your weekend of footy!
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
The Swans have broken back into the top 4 with a comprehensive 97 point win over the Saints. The final margin was built on the back of a 10 goal to 1 second half, and Sydney absolutely dominated with 35 scoring shots to 18. Not only were they formidable in attack, but they were also equally as good in defence, restricting their opponents to just 4 goals for the whole game while applying great pressure to have them kick 14 behinds. The Swans ended up on top in every major stat, with the possession count (441-356) telling the true story of the day's play as they had too much of the ball for the Saints to ever stand a chance. Their classy finishing came from the hard work, with their 67 tackles to 46 showing why they are the best pressure side in the competition. Isaac Heeney finished with 4 goals, while Kurt Tippett and Adam Goodes had 3 each, while Tom Mitchell, Mike Pyke and Sam Reid all had 2. Adam Schneider rounded out the multiple goal kickers with his 2 in his final game, and he was the only player to kick more than one major for the Saints. Dan Hannebery was terrific with 39 disposals and 7 marks for the Swans, with Tom Mitchell (35 disposals, 9 marks, 2 goals) and Josh Kennedy (33 disposals, 7 tackles, 7 marks) also playing outstanding games. Jack Steven tried hard all day for the Saints with 32 disposals, 5 marks and 6 tackles alongside David Armitage (25 disposals, 6 marks, 7 tackles) and Dylan Roberton (25 disposals, 6 marks). It was a dirty day for the Saints in the end, but the Swans will take some good positives out of the game as they move into finals
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Full Time St Kilda 4.14.38 Sydney 20.15.135 Swans win by 97 points and Adam Schneider ends up with the ball on the siren in his final game. I'll have a summary of the game for you shortly
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Behind Sydney Cunningham is clumsily barged into by Savage. He kicks a behind from the resulting free kick St Kilda 4.14.38 Sydney 20.15.135
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Approaching a 100 point margin here, that'd cap off what's been a day out for the Swans, they have the last 10 goals
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Goal Sydney Goodes gets a 50 meter penalty after his opponent ran over the mark and he kicks his third goal with a nice shot from 45 St Kilda 4.14.38 Sydney 20.14.134
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Behind St Kilda Bruce narrowly misses and breaks the streak of Swans goals with that behind St Kilda 4.14.38 Sydney 19.14.128
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Goal Sydney Tippett finds the ball on the lead uncontested, all too easily. He doesn't rush his kick this time and kicks his third as the Swans continue to pile it on St Kilda 4.13.37 Sydney 19.14.128
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Goal Sydney Mitchell heads for home once again but Pyke marks well as the kick falls short. He kicks a nice goal from a tight angle St Kilda 4.13.37 Sydney 18.14.122
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
This will be a huge percentage booster for the Swans, it'll bring them just over Richmond's if they can maintain this margin
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Goal Sydney Heeney shows how strong his hands are once again as he leaps vertically and grabs a nice mark under pressure, He kicks his fourth, party time now for the Swans St Kilda 4.13.37 Sydney 17.14.116
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Goal Sydney Mitchell breaks the chain of 8 behinds with a nice finish from around the arc on the back of some good transitional play by the Swans. His second St Kilda 4.13.37 Sydney 16.14.110
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Behind St Kilda Yet another behind, this time for the Saints. Steven misses badly on the run St Kilda 4.13.37 Sydney 15.14.104
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
A bit of laziness creeping into the Swans' game late as the game is well and truly over
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Behind Sydney That's three behind within a minute for the Swans and I'm struggling to keep up! Kennedy sprays his shot again St Kilda 4.12.36 Sydney 15.14.104
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Behind Sydney Goodes this time with the bad miss as his shot just fades away St Kilda 4.12.36 Sydney 15.13.103
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Behind Sydney Cunningham marks inside 50 and finds Tippett at the tip of the square, In a show of arrogance, he tires to just bang it through off a step but misses horribly. Wowza St Kilda 4.12.36 Sydney 15.12.102
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Game is being played as you would probably expect with the margin beyond 10 goals in the last quarter, but the Saints are still giving it a crack
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Behind Sydney Kennedy end up with it after the Swans moved it well out of defence, He misses his shot to the far side for the first score of the term St Kilda 4.12.36 Sydney 15.11.101
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Some injury concerns for the Swans as Nick Smith is off, and Rampe is hobbling around out there