SIX GOALS from Coleman Medal leader Jeremy Cameron has led Greater Western Sydney to a 44-point win over St Kilda at UNSW Canberra oval on Saturday.
The Giants set up their victory with a clinical eight-goal opening term but had to work extremely hard to fend off the plucky Saints for the rest of the match, with Cameron's hot form too much for the underdogs to overcome.
Jezza Cameron with a courageous grab!#AFLGiantsSaints pic.twitter.com/H4viDm5TjS
— AFL (@AFL) May 4, 2019
He kicked three goals either side of half-time and took 11 marks, six of those contested for the day in the 18.6 (114) to 10.10 (70) victory.
CAPITAL GAINS Full match coverage and stats
Despite their poor start, the visitors won the inside 50 count 37-16 in the second and third terms but couldn't turn those opportunities into scoreboard pressure, managing just 5.7 to the Giants' 5.4.
Zac Williams (30 possessions), Nick Haynes (26), Sam Taylor and Sam Reid were superb in the back half for the Giants and repelled the constant flow of St Kilda attacks, while Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper and Stephen Coniglio shared 73 touches to continue their stellar ball-winning form.
A snap from 65 metres out on the flank?
— AFL (@AFL) May 4, 2019
Stephen Coniglo gets it to go!#AFLGiantsSaints pic.twitter.com/2eqcRFkiGz
GWS tagger Matt de Boer limited the influence of Saint Jade Gresham in the first half, while youngster Isaac Cumming also did a job on attacking defender Shane Savage, who gathered just four disposals before the long break.
St Kilda runners Seb Ross and Jack Steele – who had a good battle with Coniglio – tried hard through the midfield, while ruckman Rowan Marshall had the better of his duel with aggressive Giant Shane Mumford and finished with two goals.
GAMEBREAKER Jumping Jezza hits St Kilda for six
The Giants started brilliantly when Cameron and Jeremy Finlayson kicked two goals apiece in the first term, and it looked like being a rout when Cameron snagged a third just three minutes into the second.
Jeremy Finlayson gets his second and the @GWSGiants are on fire!#AFLGiantsSaints pic.twitter.com/siXzktXPEg
— AFL (@AFL) May 4, 2019
But with injured stars Josh Kelly (adductor) and Lachie Whitfield (thigh) missing, the Giants lacked efficiency going forward, and the Saints worked their way back into the game.
Matthew Parker, Jonathon Marsh and Marshall booted three in a row to reduce the deficit to 24 points at half-time, and another to West Australian Blake Acres shortly after the break had the Saints within 16.
CAMERON ON CAMERON Coach praises Jezza's ability in key moments
They controlled the game and continually pumped the ball inside 50, but Parker hit the post from a simple set shot from 30 metres out dead in front, and the Giants swept the ball the length of the ground where Cameron nailed his fourth.
He then added a fifth and two more from fellow tall forward Harry Himmelberg in quick succession ended the Saints' charge.
STAYING POSITIVE Richo says Saints need to make more of chances
The only downside for GWS was injuries to Adam Kennedy (head knock), who played no part in the second half, and key defender Aidan Corr (ankle).
Ouch!@gwsgiants defender Adam Kennedy walked off the field with trainers by his side after this marking contest.#AFLGiantsSaints pic.twitter.com/R7lihfzmpy
— AFL (@AFL) May 4, 2019
The win consolidates the Giants spot in the top four, with Kelly, Whitfield and co-captain Phil Davis expected to return for next week's trip to the MCG to take on Hawthorn.
MEDICAL ROOM
GWS Giants: Adam Kennedy copped an accidental knee to the head in the second term and while he walked from the field unassisted, he took no further part in the match. Key defender Aidan Corr rolled his right ankle early in the last quarter and was carried from the field by trainers, so must be in doubt for next week.
St Kilda: Jimmy Webster looked to have injured his hand early in the match but managed to play out the match after some treatment.
NEXT UP
The Saints will attempt to rebound when they host West Coast at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night, while the Giants are at the MCG to take on Hawthorn on Sunday afternoon.
GWS GIANTS 8.2 9.4 13.6 18.6 (114)
ST KILDA 2.1 5.4 7.8 10.10 (70)
GOALS
GWS Giants: Cameron 6,Greene 2, Himmelberg 2, Finlayson 2, Coniglio, Tomlinson, Reid, Taranto, Lloyd, de Boer
St Kilda: Kent 2, Marshall 2, Parker 2, Membrey, Marsh, Acres, Sinclair
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Cameron, Williams, Taranto, Haynes, Taylor, Reid
St Kilda: Steele, Ross, Marshall, Newnes, Kent
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Kennedy (concussion), Corr (ankle)
St Kilda: Webster (hand)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Brown, Mollison, Meredith
Official crowd: 12,633 at UNSW Canberra Oval