Satisfied St Kilda coach Ross Lyon says Saturday's close call against a fired-up Sydney was the perfect dress rehearsal for finals footy.

The Swans turned back the clock to push the still undefeated Saints to their limit before going down by a single point - 13.16 (94) to 13.15 (93) - in an epic encounter.

"We knew that they were four victories and one loss at the SCG (this season) and that they start really well," Lyon said immediately after his side's 18th victory of the campaign.

"Teams get themselves up for us, we know that and we're going to be attacked, but what we know is we're preparing really well for finals football because every game is like that."

"It's intense and it's hard and teams are throwing lots of different things at us. They threw a couple of things tonight that we half expected but then we also then get to train up and (learn to) deal with."

"We've got a bit to add to the team yet, I'd like to think (Michael) Gardiner and (Zac) Dawson will play next week (against Hawthorn) which is exciting."

Asked what Paul Roos' men did to unsettle his side - particularly in the first half of the contest - a coy Lyon replied: "The Swans played pretty typical Swans footy."

"I thought they just made the most of their opportunities ... there was a couple of errors and a turnover that invited them back into the game and then it was on from that point."

The coach conceded his side's ability to get the job done on enemy territory is particularly pleasing.

"To come interstate and win again, I think that's five for the year on the road and I think we won our last three last year," he said.

"Good teams win on the road and we think we're a good team so it's a fantastic effort."

He also heaped praise on Nick Riewoldt after the star forward battled through a concussion suffered early in the first quarter to help steer the side to victory.

"There's no doubt he was concussed," Lyon said of Riewoldt who managed two goals despite feeling worse for wear throughout the clash.

"I mean Craig Bolton's a very good defender and there wasn't much easy ball coming in, but like the champion he is he fought on pretty well I thought and competed fiercely."

Lyon also confirmed Steven King suffered a 'popped' but not dislocated shoulder declaring him 'obviously physically fine'.