LEON Cameron conceded Greater Western Sydney was "lucky" to escape with a draw, giving up an 18-point final-term lead as St Kilda charged home on Saturday.
The Giants coach praised his backs for keeping them in the contest, forced to defend an extra 20 inside 50's against a spirited Saints outfit.
Leading by three goals 14 minutes into the last quarter, the Giants held off the fast-finishing Saints, who had four scoring shots to one in the final 15 minutes.
MATCH DETAILS: All the stats and stories from Saints v Giants
"I know you can win games by having a discrepancy (of) inside 50's or a discrepancy in statistics, but I thought our backs basically saved us," Cameron said post-match.
"The scoreboard, even though we had a few more scoring shots, we were probably lucky to get away with the two points."
Only centimetres stopped Saint Jake Carlisle marking a ball 40 metres out from goal on the siren, a moment that could have resulted in a free kick against a trailing Phil Davis.
Frustrated as the Giants endured their third draw in the space of 17 matches, Cameron said the Saints' midfield finally got hold of the match late after threatening all day.
"I thought Phil spoiled really well all day, they (the umpires) are closer than obviously what I am but I thought Phil spoiled late," Cameron said.
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"I think what's happening is the umpires are making sure if you've got to clunk a mark, you've got to really clunk it."
"When you have to defend an extra 20 inside 50's, I thought our backs held up reasonably well, in fact they were pretty good. Eventually, sometimes it's going to get you.
"We actually lost the midfield battle today. It was obviously tight and tough in there and they clearly won the ground balls, which is a big indicator these days."
In his second match back after hamstring tightness, small forward Toby Greene was held to 15 disposals by Saints captain Jarryn Geary with assistance from Brandon White.
WATCH: Toby Greene got away for this one
"I think you've got to give credit to Geary, he's the captain of their footy club and he played a really good game," Cameron said.
"Toby would be the first to put his hand up and say he was beaten by Geary today, he's a proud player.
"He's had an interrupted pre-season but he's not one for excuses and we aren't either.
Greene had the chance to ice the match at the 23rd minute mark, his shot from close to 50 metres just one of 19 behinds on the day as the Giants finished with five extra scoring shots.
WATCH: Leon Cameron's full post match media conference
"We kicked poorly for goal, that's a couple of weeks in a row now, our goalkicking has been disappointing, sets shots especially," Cameron said.
"It does cost us, when you do take a bit of momentum, you want to put it on the scoreboard.
"Clearly at times we didn't, especially the third quarter. It's an art of the game that you've got to get right. Sometimes it seems so simple, but we can't deliver on it sometimes."
Brett Deledio added a touch of class in the midfield, finishing with 29 disposals and two second-half goals after 28 touches last week.
"He's had a pretty good year," Cameron said.
"His last two weeks have been really pleasing, he's starting to get in a rhythm around the footy on the wing and in amongst the midfield.
LIDS IS BACK ON: Deledio back to his sparkling best
The Giants will be desperate to get ruckman Rory Lobb back from a knee injury after veteran No.2 ruck Dawson Simpson had his colours lowered by Saint Tom Hickey.
Defender Nick Haynes will be another player monitored this week, lasting until three quarter time before taking no further part following a corkie in the opening term.
"He actually wanted to play the last quarter," Cameron said.
"He's going to have to do everything possible to be right for next week. Hopefully we can recover him."
The Giants will play their first match at Spotless Stadium for the year next Saturday against Brisbane.
