In what was the Swans’ final home game at the SCG for the 2013 season, the Swans outscored the Saints seven goals to one in the third term to extend their lead to 51-points at the final change.
In just his third game back from a 16-week injury layoff, Swans defender Rhyce Shaw produced his best performance of the season, finishing the game with 24 touches, including eight inside 50s.
Speaking to SwansTV after the match, Shaw said he felt his form was building at the right time of the season.
“It was a different role for me today and I just tried to get involved a lot more and worked with Macca and Mal and tried to get into a bit of space and it worked out,” Shaw told SwansTV.
“I’m building into it and we’ve got two very important games coming up over the next two weeks.
“We’ve got Geelong in Geelong this coming week and it’s just what it’s all about.
“We’re just up for the challenge and that’s what we play footy for.”
Shaw, who returned to the senior side in round 19, was the first of a number of injured Swans to make their way back into the senior side.
The 31-year-old said that he appreciated the club’s belief in his ability as he worked his way back into fitness.
“I was out for 16 weeks and I think we won about 12 or 13 games in that space so it’s pretty hard to get into a side like that,” Shaw said.
“I worked pretty hard and Horse (coach John Longmire) and the coaches had a bit of faith in me and brought me back pretty early, so it’s been good.
“I know I’ve got a lot to improve on and I can only get better from here.”
Another Swan who recently made his return to the senior side is Ben McGlynn, who played his second game since a three-week suspension.
McGlynn, who was subbed off after a lacklustre night in last weekend’s loss to Collingwood, said he also felt his form was on the up.
“I was very disappointed last week and today couldn’t come quick enough after last Saturday night,” he said.
“It was good to put four quarters together and I’m just getting my legs back.
“I’ve had three weeks off, which was a fair time off, so it’s not that easy just to step back in a pick it up.
“The second half I started to run a lot better and hopefully I’m getting my legs back now.”
While McGlynn finished the match with 19 disposals and two goals, the small forward said he felt his pressure efforts were what stood out for him in today’s match.
“I just started to do what I do best for the team and that’s chasing and tackling and applying pressure,” McGlynn said.
“I guess if you do that from the outset then the game and the goals come your way and I was lucky enough to get on the end of a few late, but I obviously missed a few as well, so I’ve got to tidy that area up.
“I was just sticking at what the boys and the coaches want from me, and that’s the pressure.”
With a finish in the top four secure, the Swans now turn their attention to the final two weeks of the season, where they are set to take on top sides Geelong and Hawthorn.
After playing both the Cats and Hawks in last season’s final rounds, Shaw said the next two matches were the test his team needed heading into September.
“You’ve got to play the best and you’ve got to beat them to get to where you want to go and there is no greater test than this week against Geelong in Geelong,” he said.
“They played super yesterday and we’re just looking forward to the challenge … and hopefully we can step up.”
McGlynn agreed with Shaw’s sentiments, adding that the Swans would continue to aim high for the remainder of the home and away season.
“It’s a great achievement from the group to finish top four, but we don’t want to just be happy with that,” he said.
“We’ve still got two more games to go and we really want to be pushing to win the next two and have a crack at getting as high as we can on the ladder.”
