Buddy Franklin outscores St Kilda at SCG

Author Photo
Lance Franklin

SYDNEY        6.3     8.8     15.9     19.13 (127)
ST KILDA                    1.1      2.4     5.7       8.8 (56)

GOALS
Sydney: Franklin 9, Tippett 3, Cunningham, Malceski, Jetta, Lloyd, McVeigh, Towers, Parker
St Kilda: Riewoldt 3, Stanley 2, Gwilt, Armitage, Steven
BEST
Sydney: Franklin, Parker, Rohan, Jack, Hannebery
St Kilda: Ray, Steven, Armitage, Riewoldt, Gwilt
INJURIES
Sydney: Kennedy (leg)
St Kilda: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Sydney: Dean Towers replaced Josh Kennedy in the second quarter
St Kilda: Cameron Shenton replaced James Gwilt at three-quarter time
Official crowd: 31,361 at SCG


Lance Franklin's total score for the afternoon was 58. The whole St Kilda team only managed 56 points. Photo: Ryan Pierse (Getty)

What happened

Franklin kicked 9.4 to mark his milestone match in style, as the hapless Saints found themselves powerless to stop the might of the premiership favourites.

Buddy jumped to the lead in the Coleman Medal ahead of former teammate Jarryd Roughead, who couldn't add to his 55 due to suspension.

It was his biggest haul for the Swans, and the best since his career-best 13 against North Melbourne in 2012.

The only potential negative from a a great day for the Swans was a hamstring injury picked up by star midfielder Josh Kennedy, who was subbed out of the game midway through the second term.

The win sends Sydney back to the top of the AFL ladder, while the Saints are stuck in bottom spot.

The Swans had winners all over the ground and beat the Saints with ridiculous ease.

Luke Parker, Jarrad McVeigh, Jake Lloyd and Shane Biggs – in his first game of the year – all ran rings around their opponents, while Kurt Tippett booted three goals of his own.

For the hapless Saints, Nick Riewoldt kicked three goals to move to 47 for the season, while Farren Ray and Jack Steven tried hard in the midfield and backman-cum-forward James Gwilt had an impact in attack.

Josh Kennedy injury a major concern

The Brownlow Medal fancy has never missed a game for the Swans but appears certain to spend at least a fortnight on the sidelines, possibly as much as four weeks.

The 26-year-old had worry written all over his face as he sat in the back row of the Swans' interchange area. 

Hope he's in my fantasy team

Swans onballer Luke Parker was the man with the most disposals. He had 33 with 24 of them handballs.

Premiership players farewelled

Two dual premiership heroes bade farewell to the SCG, with utility Lewis-Roberts-Thomson doing a lap of honour at halftime and midfielder Ryan O'Keefe leading the reserves off the field.


Lewis Roberts-Thompson said goodbye to loyal Swans fans during his farewell lap of the SCG. Photo: Getty

What's next

Sydney heads to Etihad Stadium on Sunday to face Western Bulldogs.

St Kilda takes on Richmond at the MCG, in the Sunday twilight match.

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