Saints solid in the top four with win

THE Saints solidified a top four spot with a dominant 53point over the Swans at the Gabba in what was their third straight win last night.

Nick Hind and young gun Max King booted three goals to help the Saints to their sixth win this season in the 15.11 (101) to 6.12 (48) victory.

The emphatic win rocketed St Kilda up into third spot ahead of the Geelong v West Coast game and the percentage-boosting victory has them eyeing off a finals berth.

A third quarter resurgence by the Swans – who had 15 inside 50s and kicked 26 points – sent a slight scare through the St Kilda camp but by the final quarter, the Saints piled on six goals to the Swans’ one.

Saints coach Brett Ratten said he was impressed by his side’s win but there was still plenty to improve on.

“The way we finished the game was really pleasing,” Ratten said.

“The third quarters are a little bit of a worry so that’s one part of the game we need to clean up.

“That was a very good performance tonight but it wasn’t four quarters.”

The tables were turned on their head at the Gabba last night as the Saints broke a 10game losing streak against the Swans.

The victory is a huge confidence boost for the reincarnated Saints of 2020 and will give fans hope for the upcoming finals series.

St Kilda’s Nick Hind was one of their best.

He kicked a crucial goal in the third to stem a resurgent Swans and finished the game with two more goals to his tally.

Having a hand in another goal proved pivotal to the Saints’ win.