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

Sydney host St Kilda in Saturday afternoon’s early clash, with SCG encounter being the final time we see these two sides in 2019. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 1:45pm AEST.

With St Kilda’s 2019 finals hopes officially dying with last weekend’s loss to Carlton, and Sydney being long out of finals aspirations for a couple of months now, this clash in Sydney will be the final time we see either of these two teams in season 2019. Alas, there’s still plenty of intriguing storylines developing out of this one.

First and foremost, Lance Franklin – who hasn’t played at any level since June – returns to Sydney’s line up to play his 300th clash, a momentous occasion for the superstar forward.

Sydney will additionally be celebrating the careers of premiership players Nick Smith, Jarrad McVeigh and Kieran Jack, all of whom are retiring after today’s clash.

St Kilda’s celebration isn’t as notable, but it’s still important to recognise former Blue Sam Rowe’s debut for the club – which is also his 100th game at AFL level.

St Kilda’s last month has been alright, coupling the frustrating losses to the Blues and Adelaide with impressive wins over Melbourne and Freo.

With Brent Ratten far from locked in for the top job, a big performance – and scalp on the road – would be a marvellous result for the club headed into the offseason.

Sydney’s last win was last Friday’s over the Demons, while losses to Port, GWS and Geelong preceded that. A win would be good as they too head into the offseason.

In terms of personnel changes, there’s just the one for the Saints. Sam Rowe, as mentioned, is in the side, replacing the omitted Ben Paton.

Sydney’s made two changes – Buddy and Jarrad McVeigh are in, James Bell and Ryan Clarke have been dropped.

Prediction
Sydney – buoyed by both their home ground advantage and the major milestones they are celebrating – are the easy, and probably most intelligent, picks.

However, I’m going to be a bit foolish, and very riskily tip the Saints. They’re capable of some good footy, and every round needs an upset, right? Saints to steal it at the death.

St Kilda by 7 points

When: 1:45pm AEST
Where: Sydney Cricket Ground
TV: Fox Footy, Kayo
Betting: Sydney $1.38, St Kilda $3.05

Sydney Swans
B Tom McCartin, Dane Rampe, Lewis Melican
HB Jake Lloyd, Callum Mills, Jarrad McVeigh
C Oliver Florent, Luke Parker, George Hewett
HF Jordan Dawson, Lance Franklin, Nick Blakey
F Tom Papley, Aliir Aliir, Isaac Heeney
FOL Sam Reid, Josh P. Kennedy, Kieren Jack
I/C Robbie Fox, Daniel Menzel, James Rowbottom, Ben Ronke

St Kilda Saints
B Shane Savage, Jake Carlisle, Nathan Brown
HB Jack Newnes, Sam Rowe, Hunter Clark
C Jack Billings, Sebastian Ross, Nick Hind
HF Josh Battle, Josh Bruce, Blake Acres
F Jack Lonie, Tim Membrey, Ben Long
FOL Rowan Marshall, Jack Steven, Jack Steele
I/C Luke Dunstan, Dan Hannebery, Jack Sinclair, Callum Wilkie