St Kilda full-forward Fraser Gehrig celebrated his 200th AFL match with seven goals as the Saints enjoyed a badly-needed win over Sydney.

Gehrig was the difference between the two sides in the even opening three quarters and the Saints then kicked six goals to two in the last term to win by 43 points, 15.11 (101) to 8.10 (58).

St Kilda was desperate for a win, with the premiership fancy losing its last three matches and sliding to a 4-5 record.

While Gehrig was the standout forward in tonight's Telstra Dome game, team-mate Lenny Hayes was best afield with an outstanding game in the midfield.

After a dour first half that yielded only eight goals, the tempo picked up noticeably in the third quarter.

Sydney's Ryan O'Keefe goaled in the opening minute after half time and that was the first of seven for the term.

Two successive goals to the Swans reduced the margin to seven points heading into time on, but the Saints kicked the last two of the third quarter to lead by 20 at the final change.

The Saints looked the better side in the first half and had many more scoring chances, but the Swans' workrate kept them in the contest as the home team led by 17 points at the main break.

Veteran Swans midfielder Paul Williams was supposed to return from a broken collarbone but he was a late withdrawal with a calf muscle injury.

The misfortune continued for Sydney in the first term as the Saints kicked the opening two goals and dominated for a 19-point lead at the first change.

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