The Sydney Swans have hung on against a dogged and inaccurate St Kilda, winning by nine-points at the SCG.

Jack Higgins (23 disposals, 12 marks) tried his heart out throughout the game, but blew three late shots in front of goal to finish with 1.6 in the 13.14 (92) to 12.11 (83) loss on Saturday.

After a fairly congested start, Sydney hit its stride halfway through the first quarter, piling on four quick goals as the Saints looked on rather helplessly.

The Saints' renewed pressure in attack after the first break saw them briefly take the lead, until Lance Franklin stamped his considerable authority on the game with a few physical contests and a goal.

Momentum see-sawed between the two teams in the third term, the lead changing four times before Luke Parker converted a vital set shot on the eve of three-quarter time, taking the margin to 10 points.

Co-captain Josh Kennedy's goal out of a stoppage halfway through the fourth looked to be the final blow, but the Saints kept coming and had the chance to take the lead in the dying stages only for Higgins to miss two set shots before James Rowbottom sealed the result.

Sydney second-gamer Joel Amartey showed a strong pair of hands and some strong running, rotating between key forward and second ruck, while Jake Lloyd, Callum Mills and Tom McCartin were settled and controlled in defence.

St Kilda recruit Mason Wood was subbed off at quarter-time with a hamstring injury, while Jarryn Geary was forced down to the rooms with a right hand injury late in the game.

Inaccuracy costs Saints at crucial moments
Seb Ross' first-half howler aside – running into the goal-square and spraying it left – the Saints had a comparatively accurate day in front of goal up until the final quarter. But with the game in the balance, both Max King and Jack Higgins missed set shots from gettable positions. After Ryan Byrnes had cut the margin to just five points, Higgins had a further two shots on goal, but clearly feeling the heat, rushed both kicks, which drifted wide.

Clearances the key for the Swans early
Despite losing the hitout count by 10, Sydney's midfield set the tone in the first three quarters, particularly around the ground. The Swans were at one stage up by 10 in the "clearance from stoppage" count, with ruckman Tom Hickey clearly benefiting from a week off to rest his ongoing PCL injury. The big man was his team's leading clearance player, finishing with seven to go with his 21 touches. The Saints rallied late to close the gap in the clearance count, but when the game was hot early, it was the Swans who controlled play.

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, Kennedy, Rowbottom
St Kilda: Membrey 2, Byrnes 2, Wood, Higgins, King, Steele, Butler, Ross, Billings, Battle

BEST  
Sydney: Parker, Rampe, Hickey, Heeney, Lloyd, McCartin
St Kilda: Steele, Higgins, Membrey, Crouch, Hill, Sinclair

INJURIES  
Sydney: Nil
St Kilda: Wood (hamstring), Geary (hand/wrist)

SUBSTITUTES  
Sydney: Bell (unused)
St Kilda: Highmore (replaced Wood)