Momentum
The Swans have said a number of times in recent weeks that winning form is good form. And they have plenty of it. Victories over St Kilda, Geelong and the Brisbane Lions have them ready for a knockout final.
Style
Intensity kicks up a notch when the finals roll around and contested footy is key. Enter the Sydney Swans. Their game-plan is tailor made for September success.
Adam Goodes
Goodes struggled for consistency over the first half of the year and it's a measure of just how good he's been since then that he is considered one of Chris Judd's main rivals for the Brownlow. A rare talent who, even at 31, can still win a game off his own boot.
Road form
The Swans only missed out on a home final by percentage, but a trip to Melbourne will hold few fears. They were the only team to beat West Coast in Perth in 2011 and also knocked off the Cats in Geelong among six road wins for the season.
Shane Mumford
Ben McEvoy will have nightmares about again facing the big 'Mummy', who crushed the St Kilda ruckman in their last clash. Mumford's mix of size, aggression and agility makes him a unique challenge for opposition teams.
5 Reasons why St Kilda can win
Finals familiarity
If any team understands what is required in September, it is St Kilda. The Saints have played 10 finals in the past three years, including three Grand Finals. They know what it takes at this time of year.
Style Guide
While the Swans are known for their tackling and contested footy, St Kilda is one of the few teams in the AFL that can match them in that area. The home side will believe if it brings the right intensity, it can emerge victorious on the familiar confines of Etihad Stadium.
Height
St Kilda didn't have its best day against the Swans in round 22 and would have lost by far more than 15 points had their opponents not kicked 10.23. But the Saints were without Justin Koschitzke and Zac Dawson that day and they should make a big difference to the outcome.
Stephen Milne
Milne has kicked 55 goals in a superb season, fourth in the AFL behind power forwards Buddy Franklin, Travis Cloke and Jack Riewoldt. He will want to prove he can kick goals in important games and bounce back from a quiet day the last time the teams met.
Self-belief
After round eight, St Kilda had just one win and a draw to its name. The Saints won 11 of their last 15 games, however, to not only reach the finals, but finish in sixth place. They also bounced back from early deficits to win their past two games, against North Melbourne and Carlton, in another timely confidence boost.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
