Swans make it five straight

The Sydney Swans have claimed their fifth-straight victory with a clinical 14.18 (102) to 9.13 (67) performance over a persistent but outclassed St Kilda side at the SCG on Saturday night.

Having enjoyed a healthy half-time lead the Swans were made to work in the third term as the Saints mounted a spirited charge to close to within two kicks before a three-goal blitz sealed the deal for the hosts by the final break.

The Swans' eighth win of the campaign solidifies their position inside the top eight ahead of next week's clash with the Demons at Manuka Oval.

Barry Hall was solid if not spectacular upon his return from a seven-week suspension, kicking 2 goals on the night - Ryan O'Keefe and Michael O'Loughlin bagged three apiece for the Swans.

Jarrad McVeigh was superb throughout winning a game-high 28 touches while Brett Kirk continued his impressive campaign on his way to 26 possessions.

Lenny Hayes was the Saints' best with 21 possessions and received support from Brendon Goddard who toiled tirelessly, while Charlie Gardiner chipped in with three majors.

Sydney enjoyed the best of a scrappy opening but it was the Saints who posted the first major of the night when Nick Riewoldt split the sticks in the 11th minute against the run of play.

O'Keefe answered for the Swans before Nick Dal Santo and O'Loughlin traded goals.

Hall's first goal in eight weeks in the shadows of quarter time handed his side a nine-point lead and brought the SCG faithful to their feet.

The Saints went on the attack at the resumption and drew level when Charlie Gardiner goaled in the sixth minute.

But St Kilda's joy was short lived as the Swans awoke from their slumber to kick four-unanswered goals and take a 7.9 (51) to 3.7 (25) advantage into the long break.

It was the Gardiner show to start the third term as first Michael and then Charlie goaled inside four minutes to close to within three straight kicks.

O'Keefe's third goal of the night steadied the ship for the hosts but the Saints proved full of running as they closed to within 11 points at the 20-minute mark of the penultimate term.

Sydney turned on the after burners with three goals in as many minutes to stretch the margin out to 31 points and all but seal victory with a quarter to play.

SYDNEY: 3.5, 7.9, 12.16 (102)
ST KILDA: 2.2, 3.7, 8.9 (67)

GOALS: Sydney: O'Keefe 3, O'Loughlin 3, Hall 2, Goodes 2, McVeigh, Moore, Bird, Jolly
St Kilda: C. Gardiner 3, Riewoldt, Dal Santo, M.Gardiner, Goddard, Schneider, Milne
BEST: Sydney:McVeigh, Kirk, Bevan, Goodes, O'Loughlin
St Kilda:Hayes, Gram, Goddard, C. Gardiner
INJURIES: Sydney:Nil
St Kilda: Michael Gardiner (hamstring), Dempster (leg)
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Sydney ruckman Peter Everitt (hamstring) replaced by Craig Bird in the 22. Andrew McQualter replaced St Kilda forward Justin Koschitzke (knee) while Charlie Gardner was rushed into the visitors' squad for Matthew Ferguson (undisclosed injury) on game day.
UMPIRES: James, Kamolins, Avon.
CROWD: 25,996 at the SCG

Sportal AFL Player of the Year votes:
3. Jarrad McVeigh (Sydney Swans)
2. Brett Kirk (Sydney Swans)
1. Paul Bevan (Sydney Swans)