(Liam Getreu is an AFL fan and BPL Citizen Journalist.)

Even as Sydney did everything in their power to kick themselves out of the game, their wastefulness wasn't fully capitalised on by St Kilda as they ran out 15-point victors at ANZ Stadium on Sunday, 10.23 (83) to 10.8 (68).

Sydney's win means that they're equal with the Saints and Essendon on 42 points with two weeks to go, and the possibility of hosting a home final still alive. The Saints, meanwhile, have consigned themselves to a couple of tough weeks with today's defeat and their match against North Melbourne next Saturday night could make or break their season.

The Swans were able to keep control of possession thanks to a dominant display in the ruck from Shane Mumford, who led the Swans to almost double the number of hit-outs against a struggling Ben McEvoy, and vastly more clearances. It was clear that the late withdrawal of Justin Koschitzke hurt St Kilda and cost them a back-up option in the ruck. For the Swans, Rhyce Shaw ably supported Mumford with 29 touches, as did Adam Goodes whose last quarter goal rallied the Swans well.

The problem was the home side's missed chances. Despite having 39 inside 50s in the first half, the Swans were only able to return 3.12 and a 10-point deficit. In fact, after Shaw opened the Swans' account with a goal, they proceeded to kick 10 straight behinds straddling each side of the quarter time break.

The same deficit faced the Swans after half time, but they came out strongly in the third quarter, kicking three of the first four goals. The Saints, however, managed to get back into the lead, responding with two quick goals.

Again the Swans misfired though, with Ryan O'Keefe and Gary Rohan missing in the minutes before the final break to limit the Saints' lead to seven points. Three early goals in the final term sealed it for the Swans, with opportunities for the well-held Nick Riewoldt - in another disappointing display - and Stephen Milne both going astray.

The Swans victory keeps them in the hunt for a home final, provided results go their way. Given that Essendon still has a bye in the final week of the competition, and the Saints have a tough run home against the resurgent Roos and Carlton, even one victory in the Swans' final games against Geelong and Brisbane could be enough to secure an SCG game in week one. And that would not be a prospect to relish for either the Bombers or Saints.

AT FOOTBALL Park it was a dark day to compound a macabre month for Port Adelaide, going down to the Western Bulldogs by ten goals in another dismal display. Compounding the 15.7 (97) to 24.13 (157) defeat was a report in Adelaide's Sunday Mail claiming that an ultimatum given to the club by the AFL and the SANFL could leave the club insolvent within a few years. AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou later called the report ''utter crap''.

But an anaemic crowd of 14,169 certainly won't help the perceptions that Port is in dire trouble.

Port was down by 74 points at half-time but was able to outscore the Bulldogs by 15 points in the second half to salvage something from the game.

The victory will also do no harm to caretaker coach Paul Williams' hopes for the permanent role next year, with his players responding well with run and attack throughout the game. Port coach Matthew Primus, on the other hand, must be wishing the season would come to an end, having been at the receiving end of record-breaking thumpings in the past few weeks.

For the Bulldogs, midfielder Matthew Boyd stood out, amassing 39 possessions and three goals, while Barry Hall, in one of his last ever games, booted a brilliant six, also giving several away. Bulldog Jason Tutt also played a blinder on debut, bagging four goals and raising eyebrows on his future potential along the way.

A RIPPER seesawing twilight game this evening at the MCG saw Richmond defeat Melbourne. With 27 minutes gone in the final quarter the Tigers were ahead by 19 points, looking to coast to victory, but two goals in as many minutes from the Dees gave them quite a shock, eventually winning by seven points, 17.15 (117) to 17.8 (110).

Richmond led by 14 points at the first change and 26 points at the main break, but a seven goal to one third quarter from Melbourne put them right back into contention, leading by eight points going in the last change.

Colin Sylvia also had five goals and 29 possession, exerting a lot of influence on the ground, easily the best man on the ground despite his team going down, while ex-Dee Brad Miller's three goals made a contribution for Richmond.