St Kilda Saints vs Sydney Swans: AFL live scores, blog

Match Report The Sydney Swans have continued their march to September, as they racked on their 10th win of the past 11 games, defeating St Kilda by 42 points at the SCG on Saturday night. The Swans looked to be all over the Saints, from the start of the first bounce all the way until the final siren, as St Kilda could only hold the 2016 Grand Finalists for minor periods of time before the Swans finally found room to score. They were led by Callum Sinclair, in his return to the senior side from the NEAFL. Replacing the injured Sam Reid, it was a welcome return for the ruck/forward, who booted five goals to lead the Swans in the goalkicking. Lance Franklin wasn’t far behind, as he kicked 3.4, including a monster bomb from 55 meters out in the fourth quarter. Dan Hannebery led the disposal count for the Swans with 25 of his own, whilst Josh Kennedy had 25 of his own, as well as a goal. For the Saints, their performance reeked of poor skill errors and an abundance of turnovers. While they had the top three possession winners, they were unable to find anyone inside forward 50, and struggled to make an impact on the scoreboard. Josh Bruce led the goalkicking with three goals, whilst Seb Ross had a standout game with 37 disposals. Luke Dunstan had 29 and a goal, and Shane Savage had 27, as well as kicking one major. For Sydney, they continue their march into September, and will be eyeing off a spot in the top four in the near future, a remarkable turnaround from their 0-6 start to the year. For St Kilda, the loss is another blow to their hopes of a finals campaign, as they continue to sit outside the top eight. The Saints will finish off the year with games against four top eight sides in the remaining five games of the year. The Swans will now travel down to the MCG on Friday night to take on Hawthorn in what promises to be a blockbuster clash, as they are the only side to have beaten the Swans in the past 11 games. St Kilda will fly to Adelaide, where they will clash with an angry Port Adelaide unit, keen to avenge their loss to Melbourne this Saturday afternoon. There were no reports, but there are worries about Leigh Montagna, who hobbled off the ground in the third quarter, grabbing his right hamstring. He took no further part in the match.

END OF THE MATCH Sydney 15.17.101 defeat St Kilda 9.5.59 by 42 points. Sydney have steamrolled their way to their 10th win in 11 matches, and continue their run to September. They are the class team in the competition and the most dangerous. The win by 7 goals, and the Saints looked all at sea whenever they tried to go inside 50. The Saints were valiant at times, holding Sydney but were unable to kick goals when they had the ball, which proved vital in the end. Best for the Swans were Callum Sinclair, with a phenomenal return to senior footy with 5 goals. Buddy Franklin had three of his own, whilst Hannebery led the disposal count with 25. The Saints were led by Josh Bruce in the goalkicking, with 3 of his own, while Seb Ross had 37 disposals in a standout game for the 24 year old. Predictive Brownlow: 3 votes- Callum Sinclair 2 votes- Lance Franklin 1 vote- Seb Ross Thanks for joining me today, was a blast! The match report will be out soon.

Callum Sinclair takes his 10th mark of the match, as we enter into the final minute.

GOAL SWANS Jarrad McVeigh roves and snaps, and goals straight away. Quick reply from the Swans, and they are in raptures at the SCG. Sydney 15.17.101 St Kilda 9.5.59 Q4 3.05

GOAL SAINTS Dunstan gets a couple of extra meters on that kick, and it gets past the Swan on the line for a goal. Sydney 14.17.95 St Kilda 9.5.59 Q4 3.20

Shane Savage gets pushed off the ball and kicks it out on the full. Story of the night, as I said before.

BEHIND SWANS Papley himself wins a free, but from 55 out, he can't convert as it is rushed through. Sydney 14.17.95 St Kilda 8.5.53 Q4 4.46

GOAL SWANS Saints turn the ball over, and the Swans get it back, and then follow it with a double 50, not sure what the first one was for, second one was for abuse. Gary Rohan gets an absolute gift, and its the story of the night for the Saints, too many turnovers and sloppy skills. Sydney 14.16.94 St Kilda 8.5.53 Q4 4.52

GOAL SAINTS Acres has a few options, but he lowers the eyes once more to Gresham. He hands it off to Newnes, whose running shot at goal is good! Saints rack on a second one in a row. Sydney 13.16.88 St Kilda 8.5.53 Q4 7.08

GOAL SAINTS Gresham has ample room, and ends up lowering his eyes and centering this ball to Jack Billings, 40 out, bit of an angle. No worries for the Saint, and thats a good bit of play from St Kilda. Too little too late, however. Sydney 13.16.88 St Kilda 7.5.47 Q4 8.42

BEHIND SWANS Buddy does so well to handball to himself to keep it in! He keeps coming and nearly gets decapitated as he gets the free! Plays on and misses, however. Sydney 13.16.88 St Kilda 6.5.41 Q4 10.01

Newman is back out onto the field after getting his finger taped.

GOAL SWANS Nic Newman goes off the ground to out his finger back into place, nothing serious, I don't think. Meanwhile, the Swans make the switch, and finally find Buddy, whose set shot from 55 meters kicks an absolute monster!! Tell you what, give him a set shot from outside 50, and he's more or less likely going to kick it! Great goal, Swans extend their lead, and Buddy extends his lead in the Coleman. Sydney 13.15.87 St Kilda 6.5.41 Q4 12.02

BEHIND SAINTS Loney gets shoved in the back, whilst Nic Newman tries to put his dislocated pinky back into place. But Heath Grundy marks as the ball comes inside 50, and the Swans clear. It comes back, but the Swans rush this for a behind. Sydney 11.15.81 St Kilda 6.5.41 Q4 13.13

Great tackles inside 50 and holding the ball. But Acres takes advantage and kicks it straight to a Swan. No clue why he took advantage, it would've been a straightforward goal if the decision stood.

GOAL SAINTS Bruce outdoes Grundy, either a mark or a free kick, you choose, but Bruce is lining up from 40 on a 90 degree angle. He just squeezes this one through, and Josh Bruce has three goals for the night. Sydney 11.15.81 St Kilda 6.4.40 Q4 17.55

BEHIND SWANS Here we go! Swans get the tap! Towers is quick but mutilates this one, the second one he's butchered, but he registers a score here, a behind. Sydney 11.15.81 St Kilda 5.4.34 Q4 19.45

END OF THE THIRD Sydney 11.14.80 lead St Kilda 5.4.34 by 46 points Great quarter from the Swans. Really applied the pressure to the Saints, and while St Kilda held firm at times, they were never really able to break open the Swans. Sinclair has been immense, five goals on his return to AFL footy, and he's been more than handy as a replacement for the injured Sam Reid. Leigh Montagna is injured, his night is done and we hope that that isn't the last time we see him in an AFL game. Ross has 24 disposals for the Saints, but while they've shared around the footy, there's been no impact as the Swans have defended well. The Saints can come back from here, but it'll be an almighty challenge. Almost impossible, but not quite. The last quarter starts in a couple of minutes, stay tuned.

GOAL SWANS SINCLAIR! HE'S ON FIRE Takes a great mark in a contest in the goal square, great forward work! He converts, he has five for the first time in AFL footy, take a bow son, he can do no wrong! Sydney 11.14.80 St Kilda 5.4.34 Q3 0.33