Swans surge back into season
The Age, Rohan Connolly
May 20
The signs leading up to this game against St Kilda always looked promising for Sydney. The Swans had clearly found some form over the previous fortnight. Their record against the Saints was an imposing one, and their record at Etihad Stadium even better.
But if anyone still had any doubts about Sydney's return to somewhere near the side we saw last year, they might have been dispelled as early as five or so minutes into the first term.
That was all it took for the Swans to kick the first two goals, the way they did it as important as the scores themselves, a Josh Kennedy intercept of an errant handball launching a chain that finished with a goal to Harry Cunningham, impressive youngster Will Hayward then converting from 45 metres out.
Nick Riewoldt believes he has had more to offer St Kilda
Herald Sun, Chris Vernuccio
May 21
St Kilda veteran Nick Riewoldt says he’s in no rush to sign a contract extension but the emergence of the Saints has invigorated him.
There is speculation the Saints would re-sign Riewoldt mid-season, a decision premiership coach Mick Malthouse said would be premature.
But Riewoldt, who turns 35 at the end of the season, said serious discussions wouldn’t start until St Kilda’s bye week.
The former skipper is in his 17th AFL season after signing a one-year extension last season and is second on the club’s games list with 327 games.
Saints coach: We butchered it
Herald Sun, Chris Cavanagh
May 20
St Kilda coach Alan Richardson says his side has itself to blame for a horror loss to Sydney, but is confident it will only be a blip in the season.
The Saints’ ball use cost them, the Swans making them pay for numerous turnovers in the back half as they stormed to a 50-point triumph.
St Kilda’s kicking going forward was no better, either, the side managing just six marks inside 50 from 47 entries.
Most the other key statistical categories were won by the Saints, who laid 22 more tackles and won 11 more clearances.
