1. Jezza tries to sink the boot in but throws it away
Jeremy Cameron might have a bit of explaining to do to coach Leon Cameron after giving away a 50m penalty in the third term in jovial circumstances. Deep in attack, Cameron gave away a free kick to Blake Acres, the Saint's boot dislodged in the contest. The Giants' spearhead then took it upon himself to throw Acres' boot towards the boundary line. Umpire David Harris was heard calling, "You can't throw his boot" as he awarded the penalty. Luckily for Cameron, the decision had no impact on the outcome with 13 seconds on the clock.
2. Hobbling Haynes
Nick Haynes will be monitored this week after he was withdrawn in the final term after an early knock to his knee. Teammate Jeremy Cameron collected the intercept defender's right leg in a marking contest in the first term. From there, Haynes spent time on the bench and had his knee strapped before returning and hobbling for the remainder of the match. As the Giants gained control late in the contest, Haynes took no further part.
3. Greene blanketed
With a fresh rinse through his hair, which he manufactured on gameday, Toby Greene finished with 15 disposals – his lowest tally since round 22, 2016. Kept quiet by a combination of Saints captain Jarryn Geary and Brandon White, Greene managed one goal for the afternoon. In his second game back after missing two matches with hamstring tightness, Greene had the chance to ice the match 23 minutes into the final term before he missed, bringing a big cheer from the Saints fans
4. Saint Paddy fires
Finally able to play one-on-one, Paddy McCartin's performance would have pleased coach Alan Richardson. The 22-year-old came to life in the second term, kicking 2.1 in an electric four-minute burst that brought Saints fans out of their seats. Head-to-head with Giants co-captain Phil Davis, McCartin missed an easy set shot from 25m before rectifying his mistake with a snapped goal 90 seconds later. Then on the edge of 50 metres, McCartin edged Davis under the ball and skidded home his second major in three minutes. With the game on the line late, McCartin got the Saints within one point with a converted set shot, his most pleasing performance of the year in a week where his car was stolen and his house robbed.
5. Inaccuracy
Both sides were left to rue missed opportunities in front of goal, despite pristine conditions at Etihad Stadium. Having kicked 19.40 in their previous three matches, St Kilda's inaccuracy rubbed off on Greater Western Sydney, both sides missing easy set shots throughout the contest. Saint Jack Billings and Giants Jeremy Cameron and Stephen Congilio all finished with three behinds for the game – the Giants having five extra scoring shots. Coach Leon Cameron lamented a poor day in front of goal post-match that carried on from last week's win over Fremantle where the Giants kicked 11.16.
