The Sydney Swans claimed a thrilling nine-point victory over St Kilda at the SCG yesterday, with the Round 12 fixture going down to the final minutes of the fourth term before the home side secured the four points.

Hayward (3), Franklin (2), McDonald (2), Heeney (2) impressed in the forward line with multiple goals, while Papley, Parker, Kennedy, Rowbottom kicked crucial goals throughout the encounter.

Sydney coach John Longmire was pleased to get the win, but noted there was room for improvement from his young side.

"If you isolate it to just one moment (we were fortunate), but the game goes a bit longer than that. We just opened the door a bit in the end there and gave them a bit of an opportunity, but then we were able to get back on top," Longmire said.

"It's ultimately about finding a way to get over the line. We were probably down a bit in our pressure we normally apply, our heat around the ball and we've been good on that basis for nearly the whole year. 

"Different times we fluctuated. They were able to get some easy goals too, whether it was from 50m penalties or a few free-kick goals, there were a couple of times there where they were able to get some easy ones. 

"When we had the momentum, we were OK, we just have to make sure when we lapse, we don't have goals kicked against us to stop that flow."

Key forward Joel Amartey played his first game of the season, and just the second of his career, and Longmire was impressed with the young forward’s performance.

“He has been getting better every week and about a month ago, we told him we wanted him to put a good block together in our reserves. It’s not just about getting a game, it's about being confident and making an impression, so that you are in good form when you go into senior football,” Longmire said.

“For the last month, he has put together three or four weeks of really good form so when get gets to games, he is feeling really good about himself and confident enough to be able to get the ball like he did today a few times.

“Some of his contested marking was really good and he has that ability to play in the ruck, it’s important for us to be able to give Tom Hickey a bit of a chop out, so that forward ruck role becomes important, but he came in and did a role.

“It’s good to have two young key forwards in Joel and Logan playing in our front half.”

The Sydney will face Hawthorn this Friday night at the SCG for their Round 13 fixture.