Greater Western Sydney’s eager young forwards have given St Kilda a painful lesson in finishing, with the Giants winning by 25 points.
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.
St Kilda dominated the first half but squandered numerous scoring opportunities, kicking just 3.10 by the long break,
Key forward Jeremy Cameron will be available again next week after serving out a five-week ban, but the Giants other forwards supplied almost all of their side’s goals on Saturday.
Saints looked the sharper side early, but four goals either side of halftime pushed GWS ahead.
The visitors got to within five points, but GWS launched one more decisive surge, slamming on four-straight goals either side of the last break to ease away.
Key forward Harry Himmelberg equalled his previous 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.
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.
Jade Gresham kicked two straight for the Saints, who had just five goalkickers, while the Giants goals came from just six men.
Speedster Lachie Whitfield and classy Josh Kelly generated plenty of momentum for GWS, each logging 32 touches.
Saints captain Jarryn Geary and Seb Ross both logged 30 disposals for the visitors and former Giant Jack Steele did a good job on Callan Ward in the GWS leader’s 150th game for the club.