Sydney vs St Kilda opened round 13 at the SCG on Sunday with both clubs naming final teams, and the Swans made three changes before the 3.20pm AEST bounce. Callum Mills returned for Sydney as it looked to protect the competition’s biggest percentage and keep building toward a top-two spot.
Sydney’s Three Changes
Lewis Melican missed with a hamstring injury, while Peter Ladhams was dropped to the VFL after Brodie Grundy forced him out despite a strong performance against Richmond. Tom Hanily and Harry Cunningham also made way, with Mills joined by Matt Roberts and Malcolm Rosas jnr in the revised side.
The timing mattered because Sydney had just piled on 25 goals to beat Richmond after a loss to Geelong. That surge left the Swans in position to chase results and percentage at the same time, with this matchup offering another chance to keep that run moving at home.
Saints Bring Back Experience
St Kilda answered with four inclusions of its own. Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera returned after four weeks out, Liam Ryan came back after five rounds on the sidelines, and Liam Stocker, Mitch Owens, Angus Hastie and Campbell Lake were also added.
Sam Flanders is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, Liam O'Connell was managed, and Isaac Keeler, Liam Henry, Jack Carroll and Charlie Banfield were omitted. Those moves came after St Kilda was humbled in a goalless first half against Hawthorn, a flat start that left the Saints needing a sharper response against a side above them on the ladder.
Recent Results At The SCG
St Kilda’s selection call came with some recent history on its side. The Saints had beaten Sydney twice and narrowly lost once in their past three meetings, even though they were 1-6 in 2024 against teams currently above them on the ladder.
That mix made the SCG contest more than a routine round 13 fixture. Sydney entered with form and ladder pressure; St Kilda arrived with four fresh names and a recent record against the Swans that kept the opening bounce at 3.20pm AEST from looking like a one-sided set-up.
