For most, if not all, of this season, it's been All-Australian candidate Jack Sinclair who has dominated headlines for his role off half-back.

But yesterday afternoon against the Swans, it was the high-flying, hard-hitting theatrics of Ben Long which took top billing, with his captivating performance coming out of defence overshadowing even that of the Saints' cleanest user.

Long was unmissable at Marvel Stadium, polling almost 65 per cent of the fans' votes to clinch his first Dare Sainter of the Round nomination of the season.

While the hard-edged Saint contributed his usual frenzied attack at ground-level and workrate by pushing into space to be an outlet when exiting the back-50, it was his aerial prowess and cleanliness with ball in hand that defined his afternoon.

As this year has repeatedly proven, Long, who turned 25 yesterday, doesn't need to have a lot of the ball to pack his punch. But his career-high 27 touches on Sunday – over double this year's season average of 12 disposals per game – emphasised just how good he could be with more of it.

The fierce competitor operated with extreme finesse going a touch over 96 per cent efficiency, with just one errant handball the only blemish on an otherwise seamless display.

Most impressively, the No. 21 reeled in a staggering 17 marks (seven intercept, five contested), including two prospective Mark of the Year contenders which came incredibly close to besting his hanger against Carlton two seasons ago. 

Both attributes were major drivers in inspiring St Kilda's final quarter resurgence, which fell just short after drawing within seven points midway in the dying stages of the term.

Long has been tried at both ends throughout the course of the season, with Sunday's display, complete with 13 intercepts and eight rebound-50s, furthering his case of spending more time off half-back; the position he excelled at during his time at St Mary's Football Club. 

Outgoing Saint Dan Hannebery (two votes) was sublime in his farewell outing against his former side with 30 possessions, seven clearances and seven inside-50s, while Max King's (one vote) five-goal performance was just as influential. 

Round 23 | Dare Sainter of the Round

3 votes - Ben Long
2 votes - Dan Hannebery
1 vote - Max King