After conquering a seven-year hoodoo against Collingwood in last year’s preliminary final, the Swans were keen to continue their winning ways against the Magpies.
While the Swans started in scintillating form kicking the opening four goals of the match, Collingwood’s All-Australian midfield of Dane Swan, Dayne Beams and Scott Pendlebury started to exert their influence on the contest.
By quarter-time, Collingwood was just two goals behind and by half-time were in the lead, before eventually running away with the contest by 29-points.
Key forward Kurt Tippett was again instrumental for the Swans but even his six goals were not enough to get the team over the line.
Coach John Longmire put the result down to a poor performance but said the team had to be consistent and bring an improved effort every week.
“That's where the competition is at. It's ruthless, it's relentless, you just have to keep at your best and because you've been good for 10 or 11 weeks doesn't mean you can afford to have an off one," he said after the match.
Sydney Swans 4.4 5.9 9.10 10.11 (71)
Collingwood 2.4 6.6 12.10 14.16 (100)
GOALS: Tippett 6, Shaw, Jack, Bolton, Kennedy
CLUB CHAMPION VOTES: Kurt Tippett 42, Jarrad McVeigh 35, Ted Richards 31
CROWD: 42,627 at ANZ Stadium
LADDER POSITION: Third
Round 21 v St Kilda
Kurt Tippett’s first SCG bag and Gary Rohan's long-awaited return capped the Sydney Swans' 59-point victory over St Kilda that sewed up a top-four berth for the defending premiers.
Tippett kicked five goals to take his season tally to 32 after nine games, before making way for substitute Rohan late in the third term.
Rohan managed five touches, three inside 50s and two marks to put the finishing touches on his recovery from a badly broken leg suffered against North Melbourne at the same ground in round 4, 2012.
Josh Kennedy (38 possessions, 13 clearances, seven inside 50s) starred in the midfield for the home side, with Luke Parker, Rhyce Shaw, Shane Mumford and Jarrad McVeigh all prominent.
It was the result the Swans needed with a tough run of matches to finish the home-and-away season against Geelong and Hawthorn.
Sydney Swans 2.3 6.6 13.9 18.10 (118)
St Kilda 2.3 4.4 5.6 8.11 (59)
GOALS: Tippett 5, White 3, Lamb 2, Jack 2, Bolton 2, McGlynn 2, Pyke 2
CLUB CHAMPION VOTES: Josh Kennedy 50, Kurt Tippett 43, Dane Rampe 40
CROWD: 26,730 at SCG
LADDER POSITION: Third
