1. Several Swans still striving for September
There remains plenty of uncertainty about the status of some injured Swans just two weeks from the finals. Coach John Longmire suggested before the game against St Kilda that none of Adam Goodes, Sam Reid or Lewis Jetta would be ready to face Geelong next week. "The plan is hopefully one or two get a bit of game time in a couple of weeks," he told Triple M. "We'll make those decisions when we need to. Every session is important. Hopefully they'll be OK." At half-time, Lewis Roberts-Thomson demonstrated his optimism of playing his first game since round four before the year is out. "I've made a fair bit of progress in the last two weeks," he said. "The knee is really progressing nicely. Who knows, I might be able to sneak a game in against the Hawks (in round 23)."
2. Feel good story of the year
One Swan who has made a return at an opportune time is Gary Rohan. Sixteen months after his broken leg suffered in round four 2012, and following four games in the reserves, Rohan received a rapturous reception when he ran on as a substitute for Kurt Tippett late in the third quarter. Back playing senior football well ahead of schedule, the popular 22-year-old managed five disposals and two marks, but the stats were irrelevant. If he pulls up well, Rohan's pace and skills have him looming as a real X-factor on the eve of the finals.
3. Saints show grit to stymie Swans midfield
As Collingwood showed last week, the Sydney Swans midfield can be curtailed and the Saints did very well to limit the influence of Ryan O'Keefe, Daniel Hannebery and Kieren Jack, at least during the first half. While the 16th-placed St Kilda was eventually overrun, Tom Curren kept Hannebery to eight posessions through the opening half, while Clinton Jones held Jack to nine touches and O'Keefe had just six disposals after being closely watched by Nick Dal Santo.
4. Steven shows why he is the top Saint
Three guesses for guessing who the top St Kilda player is in the Official AFL Player Ratings. Surprisingly, it is Jack Steven, who is No.20 ranked overall. 23-year-old Steven certainly lived up to his top billing against the Swans, booting a well-worked goal in the opening term when the Saints seized on a Ted Richards error and kicking another in the final term. He was also St Kilda's top possession winner in the loss.
5. Swans secure top four finish
The victory over St Kilda, and other results over the weekend, mean the Sydney Swans are certain to finish in the top four when the home-and-away rounds are done and dusted. The defending premiers are on 62 points - level with Fremantle - and 10 points ahead of Collingwood, Richmond and Essendon with two games to play. The Swans can push hard for either first or second spot over the next fortnight, when they play ladder leaders Hawthorn and second placed Geelong.
