THE SYDNEY Swans have started the 2009 campaign in disappointing style, after St Kilda produced an outstanding second and third quarter to overrun them by 15 points at Docklands on Saturday night.

The Swans 9.11 (65) went down to the Saints 12.8 (80) in front of a crowd of 32,442, the second successive year they have lost their opener against St Kilda at Docklands.

The Swans have now won just one of their past six season openers, their most recent victory coming against Hawthorn at the SCG in 2005.

Although the visiting side led at quarter-time (by almost five goals) and half-time, the Saints hit back with a staggering 11 consecutive goals from the opening minute of the second term.

The red and white did not score a goal from the moment Adam Goodes kicked truly at the 24-minute mark of the opening term, until Marty Mattner's major at the 15-minute mark of the final quarter.

Several familiar names were unavailable for the match, including club greats Leo Barry (knee) and Michael O'Loughlin (ankle), who are still recovering from injuries, and the Swans missed his presence up forward. The late withdrawal of premiership player Luke Ablett before the start of the match for personal reasons was another disturbance.

Still, there were some positives.

Co-captain Craig Bolton's effort on Nick Riewoldt was pleasing, even though the St Kilda skipper hobbled from the field with cramp during the final term. Bolton kept Riewoldt goalless.

Youngster Craig Bird gained 26 disposals and should only continue to prosper; skipper Brett Kirk collected 24 touches and ruckman Darren Jolly worked tirelessly in the ruck.

Rhyce Shaw played his first match for the Swans and was handy.

Some spectacular leaps were also on show. Marty Mattner produced a spring-heeled jump over Saint James Gwilt in the first term, but he was unable to capitalise on his spectacular leap.

However, in the second term, teammate Jolly was able to complete a great grab. He took a classical mark over Justin Koschitzke deep in defence. Moments later the big Saint got on back with a beauty over Jolly.

The Swans did start in top fashion and played some free-flowing footy to stun the home team.

Fourteen minutes into proceedings they had four unanswered goals, via Barry Hall, Paul Bevan, Kieren Jack and Jolly.

By quarter-time, the Saints had just one goal to their name, courtesy of ruckman Michael Gardiner, as a Goodes goal in time-on gave the Swans a 27-point lead.

The scoring dried up for the Swans in the second term, with just two rushed behinds registered, as the Saints added three of their own.

Stephen Milne, who finished with three majors, chipped in with a couple, and when he became the first multiple goalscorer of the night, the Saints were just eight points down at the long break.

St Kilda not only hit the front in the third quarter, they jumped out to a four-goal lead heading into the final break. For the Swans, it was another goalless term.

Still, the Swans showed some fight in the final term with four goals to three and remarkably the margin was fewer than three majors in the finish.

The Bloods now take on Hawthorn in round two at ANZ Stadium on Saturday, April 4.

ST KILDA  1.1 4.4  9.6  12.8 (80)
SYDNEY SWANS  5.4  5.6  5.6  9.11 (65)

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily that of the club.