St Kilda took control in the last term for a 23-point win over Sydney in their AFL pre-season game at Etihad Stadium.

The Saints trailed at every change, but kicked five goals to one in the final quarter to win 0.13.12 (90) to 1.8.10 (67).

The win could come at a heavy cost, with Saints key position player Rhys Stanley to have scans on Monday for a knee injury.

The Saints experimented with Stanley as a key defender and it was paying off as he kept Swans star Sam Reid quiet.

Stanley then hyper-extended his knee in the third term and was subbed out of the game.

Height in defence is a weakness for the Saints, who finished ninth last season.

Midfielders David Armitage, Leigh Montagna and Clint Jones were solid for St Kilda, while Swans onballer Dan Hannebery had a game-high 30 disposals.

Sydney kicked three goals to one in the opening term and then cleared out to an 18-point lead at the start of the second quarter.

While Dane Rampe also kicked a super goal for the Swans, the Saints closed out the half better and only trailed by four points at the main break.

The Swans were again on top with the first two goals of the third quarter.

Saints small forward Ahmed Saad then snapped a goal and dished off another to Armitage, reducing the gap to three points at the last break.

When Terry Milera goaled at the start of the final quarter, it was the first time the Saints had led since the opening term.

Former Swan Trent Dennis-Lane sealed the win with a running goal 20 minutes into the quarter.