In the final match of the JLT Community Series, the Sydney Swans have earned victory over the St Kilda Saints by three points in a fantastic battle at Albury’s Lavington Sports Ground.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
St Kilda Saints 0.10.14.74
Sydney Swans 0.11.11.77
The JLT Community Series winds up on Sunday night with the final pre-season match to be played in Albury between the St Kilda Saints and the Sydney Swans. Join The Roar from 7:10pm AEDT for all the scores and live commentary of the game.
So far over the 2017 pre-season the Swans lost a tight game to North Melbourne before redeeming themselves against the GWS Giants with a hard-fought win.
The Saints eked out a one-point win in a messy match against the Power in their first game and followed that up with a 92-point walloping of the Blues.
Sydney come into this game the most undermanned of the two sides, missing plenty of sure best-22 players such as Isaac Heeney, Aliir Allir, Kieran Jack and Jarrad McVeigh, but in turn have given further opportunities to lesser-known players to impress leading into the home-and-away season.
Darcy Cameron is one such player whose fantastic contribution in the ruck will surely see him pushing for senior selection early this year, especially if he keeps up his form against the Saints.
Lance Franklin will also get another run after having shoulder surgery in the off-season, and will surely be better off for it.
The Saints have plenty of pressure on them this season to push into the top eight, and early signs are certainly encouraging.
After a year off, Jake Carlisle is already finding form with his new team, slotting in perfectly to strengthen an undersized backline, while up forward Paddy McCartin and Josh Bruce have impressed.
St Kilda go into this match almost at full strength – Leigh Montagna is unavailable but most of the usual suspects will be there.
There’s only one last trial run before the real thing begins, and you’d expect nothing short of a full 100 per cent effort from both teams.
Sydney’s depth has always been one of their biggest strengths, but up against a St Kilda outfit well and truly on the rise, a victory in Albury might be too much to ask.
Prediction
Saints to win, but most importantly let’s hope for a cracking match and no injuries.
St Kilda by 10.
Join The Roar from 7:10pm AEDT for all the live action!
me too
Roar Rookie
Very good game. Impressed with the Saints ability to change momentum early and slow Sydney down, their tackling game and ferocious tenacity will wear teams down. As you say, slightly cleaner skills got Sydney home , but nothing in it. Good signs for both teams going forward.
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
In the final match of the JLT Community Series, the Sydney Swans have earned victory over the St. Kilda Saints by 3 points in a fantastic battle at Albury's Lavington Sports Ground. From the first bounce it was clear both teams came to win, with full-strength sides taking the field and no player holding back at any contest. Superstar Swan Lance Franklin was a force up forward, finishing with 2.4 among his 22 touches, many of which were score assists. Saints ruckman Tom Hickey had one of his best games to date, dominating the ruck with 39 hitouts and also gathering 29 disposals at ground level, a career high. David Armitage and Jack Steele were great for the Saints all night, the latter looking very comfortable in his new surroundings. Luke Parker was his usual industrious self around the ground for Sydney, registering 7 tackles and 26 disposals, but had somewhat of a different supporting cast, with fringe player Daniel Robinson stepping up to grab 28 possessions while hard-nut young star Zak Jones continued his spike in form with a masterclass display off half-back.The game was close all night, but in the end it was Sydney's efficiency that gave them the edge despite the relentless efforts of the St. Kilda players. The only real injury concern was Mav Weller who looked to injure his groin, but should be okay to go for their round one clash with the Demons. There was plenty to like about the effort tonight from the Saints, who smashed the Swans in clearances and tackles, and look in good stead to make September action this year a very realistic goal. The Swans still remain a benchmark of the competition, and with players like Jones and Robinson coming through, they don't look like falling anytime soon. With arguably the best midfield in the league, one of the hardest backlines to score against and Lance Franklin up forward, they are primed to make season 2017 their own. They host the Power first up, and will go in heavy favourites. Youngster Oliver Florent showed plenty throughout the trial matches and will be in early team calculations, as will ruckman Darcy Cameron, despite his off night tonight. That's it! The pre-season is over and in only eleven days the 2017 AFL season will be upon us! Get excited folks - it's gonna be a ripper! May your team do you proud!
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
SWANS WIN! Sydney prevail by 3 points in a cracking dress rehearsal in Albury! St. Kilda 10.14.74 Sydney 11.11.77
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Saints running forward with 25 to go! But they turn it over and the Swans will see the clock out. Q4 30′ St. Kilda 10.14.74 Sydney 11.11.77
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Swans starting to wind the ball down with kick-to-kick across the backline. Q4 29′ St. Kilda 10.14.74 Sydney 11.11.77
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
BEHIND ST. KILDA A high ball is launched into the Saints goalsquare where it's just diffused by Harry Cunningham and pushed through! 90 seconds to go! Q4 28′ St. Kilda 10.14.74 Sydney 11.11.77
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Everyone is all in now! Two minutes to go and you wouldn't know it's a JLT match! Q4 27′ St. Kilda 10.13.73 Sydney 11.11.77
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
BEHIND ST. KILDA Dunstan marks 25m out off a short Gresham snap! He lines up to put the Saints in front - and misses! Shocking effort! Q4 25′ St. Kilda 10.13.73 Sydney 11.11.77
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
BEHIND SYDNEY It's Franklin again! He marks on a 45 degree angle 40m out courtesy of a nice ball in from Reid (who has also been very handy tonight). Buddy misses! Too far to the right. Q4 22′ St. Kilda 10.12.72 Sydney 11.11.77
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
BEHIND SYDNEY Brilliant kick from half-forward from Hayward straight onto the chest of Franklin, who turns on a dime and passes the ball to Dean Towers straight in front. Towers misses! Big letoff for the Saints. Q4 20′ St. Kilda 10.12.72 Sydney 11.10.76
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
GOAL ST. KILDA A great centering ball from Jack Steven finds Tim Membrey 30m in front of goal, where he is pulled down illegally and awarded a free kick. He kicks his first tonight and takes the margin back to under a kick. Q4 18′ St. Kilda 10.12.72 Sydney 11.9.75
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
BEHIND ST. KILDA McCartin marks strongly at half-forward, but strangely plays on under all sorts of pressure and is forced to poke a handball to Wright in the forward pocket. Wright goes for the banana and misses narrowly. Q4 16′ St. Kilda 9.12.66 Sydney 11.9.75
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
McCartin is found 25 out from goal off a perfect pass from Jack Steven and lines up for what should be a gimme. And oh dear. Shank of the night. Misses everything by a mile and ends up in Goulburn. Q4 13′ St. Kilda 9.11.65 Sydney 11.9.75
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
BEHIND ST. KILDA Shave Savage tries for nine but misses. Q4 11′ St. Kilda 9.11.65 Sydney 11.9.75
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
GOAL ST. KILDA Nathan Wright has the perfect response, attacking a bouncing ball inside 50 at full speed, gathering possession, and slamming through a nice goal! Q4 7′ St. Kilda 9.10.64 Sydney 11.9.75
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
GOAL SYDNEY The Swans follow one ripping goal up with another! Lance Franklin gets the choccies this time with an incredible long shot 50 out. He's on fire! Q4 6′ St. Kilda 8.10.58 Sydney 11.9.75
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
GOAL SYDNEY What a pass from Franklin, delivering low and hard to Hewett on a tough angle 45m out. Hewett does what Bruce can't and converts the goal wonderfully, improving the lead to 11! Q4 5′ St. Kilda 8.10.58 Sydney 10.9.69
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
BEHIND ST. KILDA Josh Bruce takes one of the stranger marks you'll ever see - as contested as can be, in a tussle with Heath Grundy, just never actually looks at the ball. Falls into his shoulder and he somehow keeps it there. Misses the shot on a tough angle as Grundy steps off the ground following that contact. Q4 3′ St. Kilda 8.10.58 Sydney 9.9.63
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Two huge tackles start the quarter. One from Zak Jones and one from Dylan Roberton. Well done lads! Q4 2′ St. Kilda 8.9.57 Sydney 9.9.63
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Final quarter starts - 30 minutes left of the preseason! Q4 1′ St. Kilda 8.9.57 Sydney 9.9.63