The Saints added another dimension to the finals race on Saturday night when they drew with top-eight contenders Geelong. They showed incredible fight when the Cats looked home after a late goal, in another inspiring performance that has this season seen them earn plenty of respect for their attitude despite rebuilding. Led by Josh Kennedy and Kurt Tippett, the Swans smashed Greater Western Sydney on Saturday to emphasise their position as a top-four prospect. They've now won three of their past four and are a game clear of the fifth-placed Richmond and equal on points with Hawthorn, which is third.
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Sunday, August 30, 3.20pm AEST
LAST FIVE TIMES
R21, 2014, Sydney Swans 19.13 (127) d St Kilda 8.8 (56) at the SCG
R21, 2013, Sydney Swans 18.10 (118) d St Kilda 8.11 (59) at the SCG
R5, 2013, Sydney Swans 11.13 (79) d St Kilda 9.9 (63) at Westpac Stadium
R17, 2012, Sydney Swans 15.15 (105) d St Kilda 10.16 (76) at the SCG
R9, 2012, St Kilda 16.15 (111) d Sydney Swans 12.11 (83) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Swans will be keen to get Lance Franklin back this week with finals looming. He dominated last time these sides met with nine goals.
2. In that clash at the SCG in round 21 last year, which the Swans won by 71 points, Luke Parker racked up 33 disposals while Jack Steven had 31 touches.
3. The Swans hold the recent wood over the Saints, having won the last four head-to-heads and six of the last seven, kicking 37 goals to 16 across the latest two.
4. However, in the Saints' corner is their recent history against the Swans at Etihad Stadium. They've won six games to two, with one draw.
5. An ominous statistic for the Saints is the fact the Swans kicked their highest score of the season last week – 20.13 (133) - against the Giants, for their biggest win of the season.
6. Five goals against the Giants were enough to boost Kurt Tippett's standing in the Official AFL Player Ratings. He's gone from 151st overall to 136th this week.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Adam Schneider The 2005 premiership player announced his retirement this week and will play his last AFL game on Sunday, fittingly against his former club. Schneider played 98 games as a Swan and will end with 130 for the Saints.
AFL.COM.AU PREDICTION: Sydney Swans by 23 points
