Surging Giants overwhelm St Kilda in AFL

Greater Western Sydney are fourth on the AFL ladder after shaking off a slow start to beat a wasteful St Kilda by 25 points at Spotless Stadium.

GWS Giants players celebrate a goal by Rory Lobb.

A resurgent GWS have moved into the AFL top-four after a 25-point win over St Kilda in Sydney. (AAP)

Greater Western Sydney coach Leon Cameron is sure his revamped forward line will continue to click with the return of Jeremy Cameron, after it came up with the goals to beat a wasteful St Kilda side.

The 13.8 (86) to 8.13 (61) win at Spotless Stadium on Saturday was the Giants' seventh victory in their past eight games and lifted them to fourth.

A committed St Kilda dominated the first half but squandered numerous scoring opportunities, kicking just 3.10 by the long break.

"There's no doubt our players were a little bit off the mark a bit in that first half," Cameron said.

"But in saying that we can't take away the credit that's due to St Kilda.

"They played a brand that disturbed and we couldn't stop it and we were lucky that they kicked poorly.

"We came in and addressed a few things and came out with a little bit more intensity that was lacking in the first half."

The Giants gave the Saints a painful lesson in finishing.

Key forward Harry Himmelberg equalled his best haul of four goals in a preliminary final last year.

Brent Daniels booted his first two senior goals in his fourth game and fellow small forwards Zac Langdon and Toby Greene and key forward-ruckman Rory Lobb all bagged a brace.

Jeremy Cameron will return from a five-week ban for next Sunday's game against Carlton, with the Giants having dropped just one game in his absence.

"He's trained really well ... and we'll find a way to make sure they all keep clicking," Cameron said.

Saints finished with 12 more inside 50s, but were ahead by as many as 22 at halftime.

Forwards Jack Lonie and Tim Membrey were the chief culprits in the accuracy department, kicking 2.3 and 2.4 respectively.

"There was a lot to like with respect to creating opportunities and denying the opposition opportunities," St Kilda coach Alan Richardson said.

"In terms of the attitude and the intensity and the ferocious nature which our guys went after GWS, you're not going to win games of footy against good teams when you don't maximise when you're on top."

Speedster Lachie Whitfield and classy Josh Kelly generated plenty of momentum for GWS, each logging 32 touches.

Former Giant Jack Steele did a good job on Callan Ward in the GWS leader's 150th game for the club


Share

3 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world