SYDNEY star Lance Franklin declared the Swans on track for round one after starring in their three-point win over St Kilda at Lavington Oval on Sunday night.
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Franklin was a constant threat inside 50 metres with his brilliant snap for goal in the final term bringing the 6893-strong crowd to its feet.
Former Bright junior Sam Reid did his selection prospects no harm by taking eight marks including a telling grab in the dying minutes.
Franklin said successive pre-season wins over GWS and St Kilda had the Swans well placed to take on Port Adelaide.
"It was a super game,” Franklin said.
“Both teams were going right at it until the end.
"I reckon it's a really good game going into round one with a contest like that.
“We just scraped in with a win but we'll take that and look forward to Port Adelaide next week."
Luke Parker was at his industrious best while youngster Zak Jones stepped up superbly in the midfield.
Josh Kennedy thrived in the slippery conditions with his quick hands at the clearances setting up many attacking forays.
St Kilda ruckman Tom Hickey dominated around the ground with Shane Savage never far from the action with David Armitage
Sydney took 10 minutes to kick its first goal through Dean Towers and were never headed.
The Saints drew level at the 26-minute-mark of the third quarter after kicking four successive goals but were unable to get in front.
Missed chances to Paddy McCartin and Nathan Wright in the final term proved costly.
Swans coach John Longmire was satisfied with the performance in his first official appearance at the ground since being drafted by North Melbourne in 1988.
"We knew coming here that St Kilda were in really strong form and playing a really good brand of footy," he said.
"They've got some quality recruits over the summer so we knew it would be a tough battle, and it was.
“We're really happy to come out with another good, hard game under our belt before the season starts.
“It was good.”
SYDNEY 0.3.4 0.6.7 0.9.9 0.11.11 (77)
ST KILDA 0.2.2 0.4.5 0.8.9 0.10.14 (74)
GOALS: St Kilda: Weller 2, Armitage, Newnes, Lonie, Webster, Gilbert, Riewoldt, Wright, Membrey; Sydney: Franklin 2, Towers, Tippett, Parker, Cunningham, Hayward, Reid, Robinson, Cameron, Hewett
BEST: Sydney: Kennedy, Franklin, Jones, Robinson, Parker; St Kilda: Hickey, Savage, Steele, Armitage, Robertson.
INJURIES: Sydney: Grundy (concussion), St Kilda: Weller (leg)
CROWD: 6893 at Lavington Oval