THEIR last three meetings were decided by a total nine points, so it was no surprise St Kilda and Sydney delivered another enthralling contest.
Behind for three terms, the Swans had an almighty scare but regained their composure in a huge final term and kicked nine of the last 11 goals to topple the Saints by 19 points at Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The 16.11 (107) to 13.10 (88) win consolidated Sydney's position in second on the ladder, as Hawthorn and Brisbane continue in hot pursuit, while St Kilda's wildcard hopes took a hit.
Hugh Boxshall did an early effective job on Isaac Heeney. However, the Swans star managed to build imposingly into the game by moving himself forward to great effect, finishing with 22 disposals, seven clearances and two goals.
Errol Gulden (34 disposals, seven clearances and a goal) and Chad Warner (25, six and two) were also enormous as the Saints' star stood up.
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera tried to inspire the Saints and finished with 24 disposals and three goals.
Both sides will be counting the injury cost, too.
Swan James Rowbottom came off in the first quarter and was consoled by teammates after a suspected broken hand. In the final term, a marking contest left Will Edwards, who just signed a three-year contract extension, with a terrible leg injury and blood gushing from his head. Tom Papley was worked on at quarter-time and appeared to be hobbling and then spent a large part of the match deep forward.
Meanwhile, Saints defender Jack Silvagni hurt his right arm in the final term. Ruck recruit Tom De Koning also came from the ground with what looked like a hamstring complaint in his second game back after broken ribs earlier in the season. However, he returned for the fourth quarter, despite obvious concerns given Max King's devastating hamstring injury on return last week.
The Saints began on top everywhere around the contest – leading in clearances (11-8) and contested possessions (35-28) at quarter-time. The Swans looked their most dangerous from back-half transition and were scoring off forward-half stoppages. Tom McCartin was a pillar of strength in the Swans' backline, but repeated entries by the Saints made a breakthrough inevitable.
It wasn't helped by Sydney's ill-discipline, giving away two important holding free kicks to Wanganeen-Milera and Liam Ryan in dangerous positions for both to convert. In the moments before quarter-time, Wanganeen-Milera marked in the forward pocket. Tapping his wrist searching for the time, he went around the body for an incredible goal.
The second term saw a more composed Swans – taking their time off half-back before driving it forward. Still, the Saints went into half-time with a 13-point lead.
It appeared that the Saints had the Swans on the ropes in the third term, with Anthony Caminiti kicking their third goal in a row to stretch the lead to a game-high 23 points.
However, the Swans steadied late when Logan McDonald kicked his third goal, before Gulden drew a high contact free kick in front of the visitors' cheer squad with 18 seconds to go in the term. Kicking after the siren, he converted to cut the margin to two goals.
The extended break following Edwards' cruel injury seemed to galvanise the Swans, with Papley gathering to put them in front before they pulled away. Charlie Curnow kicked a couple of goals after a quiet afternoon as he was largely held by Silvagni.
However, the Swans steadied late when Logan McDonald kicked his third goal, before Gulden drew a high contact free kick in front of the visitors' cheer squad with 18 seconds to go in the term. Kicking after the siren, he converted to cut the margin to two goals.
The extended break following Edwards' cruel injury seemed to galvanise the Swans, with Papley gathering to put them in front before they pulled away. Charlie Curnow kicked a couple of goals after a quiet afternoon as he was largely held by Silvagni.
