Sydney has survived a spirited St Kilda challenge to record a nine-point victory and further entrench themselves in the top eight.
The Saints refused to go quietly as they repeatedly pressed the Swans, but they lacked the polish to finish off their chains of ball movement.
With less than 90 seconds to go, Jack Higgins had the opportunity to put the Saints in front but pushed his set shot wide to finish with 1.6 for the game.
The Swans ability to capitalise on their own momentum was the difference, whilst the Saints, as is synonymous with their season, the left to rue poor kicking, both field and at goal.
Here’s everything you need to know!
The Talking Point: St Kilda the architects of their own demise
Saints fans would have feared another belting when the Swans pulled out to a 21-point lead in the first quarter, dominating territory and causing the Saints’ defence strife.
“It’s impossible to see them get out of there the way the game’s going,” Andy Maher said on AFL Nation.
But through sheer effort they battled back to pull the margin back to six points at half time, with Brad Hill driving the Saints ball movement from half-back.
They would have been within one point, if not for an awful Seb Ross miss directly in front of goal from ten metres out.
The Saints continued to press in the second half but continuously shot themselves in the foot through cheap turnovers and free kicks from their own back half.
An awful turnover by Luke Dunstan at the start of the last quarter was compounded by a lame handball from Oscar Clavarino which Will Hayward intercepted and snapped the goal, pushing the margin out to 16 points.
A contentious fifty-metre penalty after what appeared to be a flop by Max King brought the Saints back within nine points.
From there it was a back-and-forth contest until the last few minutes with Higgins had the opportunity to win it for his team, but couldn’t capitalize.
“They are the architects of their own demise,” Gerard Whateley said late in the last quarter on AFL Nation.
The result leaves the Saints’ staggering season on life support with five wins and seven losses and a dreadful percentage of 76.
Should Max King get booked for a dive?
Down 15 points in the last quarter, Josh Battle received a fifty-metre penalty after it appeared King was felled behind play by Dane Rampe.
Upon review though the replays showed the contact was minimal with King throwing himself forward to draw the umpires’ whistle.
The fifty metres resulted in an easy goal to Battle and the incident is sure to get looked at by the MRO as it would not have looked good in hindsight had St Kilda managed to come back and win the game.
It capped a dirty day for the Saints forward, who struggled to get near it after a late goal in the first quarter.
“He just did not look like it today, he had one of those horrible, horrible days that every footballer’s had at some stage of their career,” Maher said.
“He’s got to go back and find (that) energy back in his game a little,” Justin Leppitsch added.
Saints fans will be desperately hoping King can respond and find the confidence that he displayed in his first season.
What’s next?
Sydney take on the lowly Hawks at the SCG next Friday night.
Meanwhile the Saints will look to bounce back when they “host” the Crows at Cazaly Stadium in Cairns on Saturday night.
FULL SCORE
Sydney: 4.6, 6.7, 10.11, 13.14 (92)
St Kilda: 3.4, 5.7, 9.7. 12.11 (83)
GOALS
Sydney: Hayward 3, Franklin 2, McDonald 2, Heeney 2, Papley, Parker
St Kilda: Membrey 2, Byrnes 2, Wood, Higgins, King, Steele, Butler, Ross, Billings, Battle,
BEST
Sydney: Lloyd, Hewett, Parker, Mills, Cunningham, Hickey
St Kilda: Steele, Higgins, Crouch, Ryder, Membrey, Sinclair
INJURIES
Sydney: Nil
St Kilda: Wood (Hamstring), Geary (Shoulder)
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