Sydney is through to the semi finals after it defeated St Kilda by 25 points in a cut-throat clash at Etihad Stadium.

Right from the beginning, the match proved every bit as cynical and defensive as you'd expect from these two teams. Both sides left lots of players free in defence, making scoring a real struggle. Fifteen minutes elapsed before the first goal was kicked.

The midfields more or less matched each other, and consequently clearances and inside 50s ended about even. The match was won inside the arcs.

No-one better encapsulated that fact than Shane Mumford in a quick cameo in the opening term. Not sixty seconds after rushing a behind on the full-back line, Mumford took a mark inside attacking 50 and slotted a goal.

Sydney's forward pressure was superb and their intensity kept the ball in attack. This left the Saints' defence edgy and vulnerable. Early on, the Swans repeatedly breached St Kilda's defensive wall, with Adam Goodes capitalising for two fairly cheap goals. It would have been three but for a calamitous, inexplicable mishap.

Ryan O'Keefe, playing forward, was influential with four crucial goals, while Sam Reid showed great promise in his first final. His leading and marking was natural, finishing with five contested marks. The comparisons with Buddy Franklin are seemingly accurate right down to his poor shooting for goal.

Conversely, it was a quiet night for the Saints' forwards. Nick Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke kicked just one goal apiece, while Stephen Milne's lack of influence did nothing to dispel the myth that he goes missing in big games.

It's not as though there weren't enough inside 50s. In fact, St Kilda had two more than the Swans. Their delivery was simply inadequate, asking too much of their forwards too often. Ted Richards, Alex Johnson, and Nick Smith were sensational in negating their direct opponents, rendering St Kilda unable to kick a winning total.

And so the season came to an end for St Kilda. It is a disappointing outcome considering how valiantly they battles to earn a home final. They had just six points after seven games and were languishing in 15th position.

However, they managed to turn their fortunes around with nine wins from their next 11 matches - including three interstate - and slowly worked their way back up the ladder.

Now they have nothing but a lost final to show for it, but they, and other teams, can take heart from it should they ever find themselves in that sort of situation again.

For Sydney, the season starts getting interesting. They have set up a semi final against Hawthorn after the Hawks lost to Geelong on Friday night.

The Swans will be keeping a close eye on any developments surrounding Lance Franklin's knee injury. The Hawks have a good recent record against Sydney, but it will be hard to see them kicking a winning score without either of Franklin or Jarryd Roughead.

Notably, Franklin has been the game's leading goal-kicker in each of the last three contests between the two sides. Although, it should also be noted that Hawthorn's second-highest score this season was kicked without either of their power forwards in the side.

Still, Sydney might fancy themselves against their undersized opponents. Simply playing a tall forward line can be enough to expose the Hawks. Tossing Reid, Jesse White, and Adam Goodes into attack would do the trick.

If they do win, they earn the dubious honour of playing Collingwood in an away prelim.