A strong second-half performance secured the Sydney Swans a historic Anzac Day win at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium on Thursday evening.

In the first home and away match played outside of Australia, Sydney Swans defender Marty Mattner said the Swans overcame a disappointing first-half to come away with a 16-point win over St Kilda.

“It was a great win for the boys. We probably didn’t start the way we wanted to but our second half was really good and it was great to get the win,” he told SwansTV in the rooms after the game.

“It was really slippery in the first half and we probably didn’t adjust to the conditions as well as we should have, but in the second half we were better getting the ball into our forward line and holding it in there and our pressure increased.

“We played a lot better footy in the second half and it was a good win.”

Mattner added that Wellington’s Westpac Stadium provided the perfect setting for the Anzac Day clash with the Saints.

“There was actually no wind at all and after what we’d been talking about all week and everyone saying how windy it was, it was just a bit slippery, but the surface was really good,” he said.

“We got a really good crowd and it was a really enjoyable day.

“It was a great feeling out there, a great crowd and it was good to see a lot of Swans people come over from Sydney and we had a great week.”

Swans midfielder Dan Hannebery was named as the Anzac medallist as the best player on the ground, after picking up 30 possessions - 13 of which were contested.

Finishing in a close second courtesy of a count-back was Luke Parker, who led the charge in the second half, kicking two goals and finishing the match with 25 possessions and two goal assists.

Speaking to SwansTV after the win, Parker said he enjoyed contributing to the Swans’ international Anzac Day success.

“I was just happy to be able to kick a couple of goals down forward and just contribute to the team,” Parker said.

“Dan Hannebery really had a good game inside and outside and he’s really playing well at the moment.”

The 20-year-old said the Swans made improvements in both their tackling and contested ball counts in tonight’s match, which Parker believes was the difference on the night.

“It was a bit scrappy I guess, all day it was like that, and both teams were hard at the ball,” he said.

“At the start they were probably a little bit harder, so we came in at quarter time and spoke about our tackling and our contested ball so in the end we did (adjust).”

“The Saints played really well as well today, but the main thing was that we got over the top and held on in the end.”

Being a part of an Anzac Day clash played across the Tasman was something Parker said he would never forget.

“It was an awesome atmosphere out there and it was great to get the four points overseas,” he said

“It’s a special day for both Australia and New Zealand and just the atmosphere before the game and just to have that many people dead silent was an amazing feeling.”