THE SYDNEY Swans have moved a step closer to a top-two finish and ended St Kilda's finals charge with a dominant 70-point win at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
In a fearsome reminder of their premiership credentials, the Swans produced a second-half blitz to turn an arm-wrestle into a cakewalk, kicking their highest score of the season to win 23.8 (146) to 11.10 (76).
And in perhaps the most worrying sign for the rest of the top eight, it was superstar Swan Lance Franklin who returned to his best form to turn the match on its head.
After booting nine goals in his past five games, Franklin kicked six to leave him three goals behind West Coast's Coleman Medal leader Josh Kennedy (70 goals).
He won 15 possessions in the third quarter alone and finished with 28 and nine marks in a dominant best-on-ground performance.
The Swans soaked up the best of what the young Saints had to throw at them before an eight-goal-to-two third quarter. They kicked six of the final seven goals of the game.
Their task was made easier once St Kilda ruckman Tom Hickey rolled an ankle, severely hindering him and allowing opponent Sam Naismith to exploit him and work into space.
Defender Sam Fisher also suffered a jaw injury late in the third quarter that ended his night early, with backman Jarryn Geary withdrawn pre-game with a back injury.
While Franklin was the headline act, the Swans' A-grade midfield was at its best, with Luke Parker (33 possessions and three goals), Dan Hannebery (37 and nine inside 50s) and Josh Kennedy (35 and eight clearances) all enjoying big nights.
NAB AFL Rising Star contender Callum Mills (27 and eight marks) was typically composed in a match that will only strengthen his case for recognition as the game's standout youngster.
Beating the Saints at Etihad Stadium has not been an easy task in recent times, with Alan Richardson's men winning eight of their past 10 at the venue.
They also boasted four wins from their past five games and with belief among the players the highest it has been in Richardson's 63-game tenure.
North Melbourne's loss to Hawthorn on Saturday had kept their finals dream alive, and they played like a team with their season on the line early.
In an entertaining first half, the Swans and Saints traded goals under the roof with no team able to build a meaningful margin and the lead changing 10 times.
The Saints' tackling pressure has become their trademark under Richardson, and it was the one area they had an edge on their opponents, with every other indicator neck and neck.
Returning for his first senior game since round 15, young forward Paddy McCartin imposed himself early, marking well, pushing up the ground and kicking two first-half goals.
Midfielder Blake Acres was also impressive early and kicked on to finish with 23 possessions and 1.3.
Captain Nick Riewoldt was his team's best with 24 touches and a goal, also moving into the ruck to relieve Hickey, while David Armitage (29 and seven clearances) and Leigh Montagna (27 and a goal) battled hard all night.
ST KILDA 5.0 7.5 9.8 11.10 (76)
SYDNEY 4.1 8.4 16.7 23.8 (146)
GOALS
St Kilda: McCartin 2, Membrey, Riewoldt, Gresham, Weller, Acres, Wright, Montagna, Newnes, Dempster
Sydney Swans: Franklin 6, Papley 3, Parker 3, X.Richards 3, Heeney, Jack, Hannebery, Naismith, Nankervis, Kennedy, Hewitt, McVeigh
BEST
St Kilda: Montagna, Riewoldt, Acres, Armitage, Weller, Newnes
Sydney Swans: Franklin, Parker, Hannebery, Kennedy, Lloyd, Mills, McVeigh
INJURIES
St Kilda: Hickey (left ankle), Fisher (jaw and hamstring), McKenzie was a late replacement for Geary (back).
Sydney Swans: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Nicholls, Schmitt, Fleer
Official crowd: 33,059 at Etihad Stadium
