The GWS Giants have defeated the St Kilda Saints by 25 points at Spotless Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
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Final score
GWS Giants 13.8.86
St Kilda Saints 8.13.61
The GWS Giants will be looking to make it three in a row when they host the St Kilda Saints at Spotless Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 4:35pm AEST.
On the road last weekend, GWS sealed a fifth win in their past six games, to sit sixth on the ladder with only five rounds to go.
The Giants led by as much as 35 points in the third quarter, but a late fightback by Port Adelaide brought the margin into nine points, before GWS finished strongly to run out 22-point winners.
Usual suspects Stephen Coniglio, Josh Kelly and Callan Ward were strong in the midfield, while Lachie Whitfield and Heath Shaw put on dominant displays from half-back.
St Kilda hosted Richmond at Etihad Stadium last Friday night in Maddie’s Match, where Jack Riewoldt starred with four goals.
The margin was 58 points at half-time and most were predicting a 100-point belting, but after the main break the Saints improved and they held their own, winning the second half by four points.
The only change GWS have made for this clash is Sam Taylor returning to the side after his late withdrawal (corked leg) against Port Adelaide, Lachlan Keeffe has been omitted.
St Kilda have made four changes to their side, first-year player Hunter Clark has been managed, while Ed Phillips, Bailey Rice and David Armitage have been omitted.
Nathan Brown, Jack Lonie, Blake Acres and Nick Coffield are into the 22 to face the Giants on Saturday.
Brown immediately returns to the AFL side after recovering from a minor hamstring strain.
The last time these two teams met was in round five, the draw at 73 apiece was the beginning of a mid-season slump where the Giants slid down the ladder with four wins, five losses and a draw.
Callan Ward will celebrate 150 club games for the Giants this weekend; the inaugural co-captain has been awarded Life Membership to mark the milestone.
Prediction
The Saints will be looking to cause some upsets in the final five weeks as the finals bound teams look to cement a place in the top eight.
GWS know their finals appearance is not yet guaranteed; at home, celebrating 25,000 members – a club record – the Giants won’t let this one slip.
The Ferrari will rev once again.
GWS by 33 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 4:35pm AEST.
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Thanks for tuning in tonight, sorry for the short match report, but I'm switching across to the Gold Coast vs Carlton game now, so please join me over there!
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
The GWS Giants have defeated the St Kilda Saints by 25 points at Spotless Stadium on Saturday afternoon. It was a hot start from the Saints, who had triple the Giants inside 50s, but after half-time GWS kicked into gear. Josh Kelly (32 disposals, 5 tackles) and Stephen Coniglio (29 disposals) were good in the midfield, while Lachie Whitfield (32 disposals) racked up the possessions off half back. Harry Himmelberg kicked a bag of four goals in the Giants win, a shining light up forward in the absence of Jonathon Patton and Jeremy Cameron. Jarryn Geary (30 disposals) and Sebastian Ross (30 disposals, 1 goal) battled hard for the Saints, and Jack Lonie had six shots on goal, but could only manage two goals, four behinds. There were no injuries to report from this clash. Next up for the Giants is a trip to Etihad Stadium to take on Carlton on Sunday, while the Saints head back to Melbourne to host the Western Bulldogs at Etihad on Saturday night.
XI
Roar Guru
Got the job done even though they weren't at their best. That's a solid result.
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Goals GWS: Himmelberg 4, Greene 2, Lobb 2, Daniels 2, Langdon 2, Deledio St Kilda: Lonie 2, Membrey 2, Gresham 2, Steven, Battle Disposals GWS: Kelly 32, Whitfield 32, Coniglio 29 St Kilda: Geary 30, Ross 30, Steven 27 Score GWS: 13.8 (86) St Kilda: 8.13 (61)
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 0' - FULL TIME The GWS Giants have defeated the St Kilda Saints by 25 points at Spotless Stadium on Saturday afternoon. After a close first half, the Giants kicked away to a four goal victory in the end. St Kilda fought hard and will rue inaccurate goal-kicking, particularly in the first half, which left things open for GWS. GWS: 86 St Kilda: 61
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 0' Battle with low contact on Deledio and that'll do us... GWS: 86 St Kilda: 61
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 1' Under a minute to go, ball down in GWS's forward line. Can they get a late one? GWS: 86 St Kilda: 61
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 2' - GOAL SAINTS Goal for Josh Battle with 2:34 on the clock. Consolation goal for the Saints. GWS: 86 St Kilda: 61
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 4' - GOAL GIANTS Mark not paid because it didn't cover enough distance, Kelly given a free kick anyway for a high tackle. He can't take a set shot from 60m, but he finds Greene 20m out from goal. Greene sends it through and the Giants are out by 31 points. GWS: 86 St Kilda: 55
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 6' - BEHIND GIANTS Greene goes for goal, but the ball rolls through for a behind. GWS: 80 St Kilda: 55
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 7' - BEHIND SAINTS Gresham waits on the kick, takes a bounce and then finds Membrey in the pocket. He hits the post. GWS: 79 St Kilda: 55
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 9' 19 scoring shots apiece but the Giants lead by 25. GWS: 79 St Kilda: 54
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 11' - GOAL SAINTS The Saints break through the corridor and hit up Steven inside 50. He marks and sails the set shot through over the goal umpires head. Still within striking distance... GWS: 79 St Kilda: 54
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 12' - BEHIND SAINTS Langdon gives away a free for in the back, could have been holding the ball for the tackle beforehand. Lonie can't convert, a minor the result. He's found plenty of the ball tonight Lonie, but 2 goals, 4 behinds is really poor conversion. GWS: 79 St Kilda: 48
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 14' - GOAL GIANTS Little bit of play between the arcs, before the ball goes in long to Lobb, who is awarded a free kick for high contact over the shoulder. No mistake with the set shot by the tall man and he heads to the next centre bounce. GWS: 79 St Kilda: 47
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 17' - BEHIND GIANTS Shiel misses another. The midfielder having a quieter day and can't hit the scoreboard with a major. GWS: 73 St Kilda: 47
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 18' - BEHIND GIANTS Lobb goes long, almost gets it through, but it just bounces to the wrong side of the goal post. GWS: 72 St Kilda: 47
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 20' Underway in the last, who wins it from here? GWS: 71 St Kilda: 47
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Much better quarter from the Giants!
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
After last nights performance by the Swans, I think they might be! You'd hope if they do make finals and get a home game, plenty more will show up to support their side.