A fairly routine game on paper suddenly has huge importance for the Swans following their poor defeat to Collingwood last Saturday. With Geelong and Hawthorn to come, this is a game the premiers have to win to shore up their place in the top four and keep alive hopes of a top-two finish. Coach John Longmire will also be expecting a strong response after stating his players didn't work hard enough against the Pies.
They welcome a St Kilda side to the SCG that has lost its past seven matches and can boast just three wins for the year. There were moments of competitiveness against Hawthorn last week, but overall it has been a difficult, disappointing season for Scott Watters' men. They can at least take some confidence from their last match-up with the Swans, a tough 16-point loss in Wellington back in round five.
WHERE AND WHEN: SCG, Sunday, August 18, 3.20pm
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide and odds
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R5, 2013, Swans 11.13 (79) d St Kilda 9.9 (63) at Westpac Stadium
R17, 2012, Swans 15.15 (105) d St Kilda 10.16 (76) at the SCG
R9, 2012, St Kilda 16.15 (111) d Swans 12.11 (83) at Etihad Stadium
2EF, 2011, Swans 12.10 (82) d St Kilda 8.9 (57) at Etihad Stadium
R22, 2011, Swans 10.23 (83) d St Kilda 10.8 (68) at the SCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. These teams meet for the first time since their historic clash in Wellington, the first AFL game held overseas for competition points. In terrible conditions, midfielder Dan Hannebery led the Swans to a 16-point win.
2. The Swans have won four of the last five games against the Saints. Overall, the Swans lead the head-to-head record 129-77, with three draws.
3. The club's ladder positions are reflected in the Official AFL Player Ratings. The third-placed Swans have four players in the top 25, led by Kieren Jack (6) and Josh Kennedy (8). Jack Steven, at No.20, is the highest ranked player for the 16th-placed Saints.
4. The Saints have their work cut out for them at the stoppages this week, ranked 16th for hit-outs and 17th for clearances. The Swans are second and first respectively in those categories.
5. The Swans are averaging 104 points per game, third in the AFL. The Saints are 16th at 77 points per game. Skipper Nick Riewoldt has kicked 20 per cent of their goals, 42 out of 210 for the year.
6. Round 21 at the SCG has been a good round for the Swans historically. They haven't lost at home in that round since a 17-point defeat to Fremantle in the Dockers' first year in the League, 1995.
