SUMMARY
Greater Western Sydney's early season form slump started with a draw against the Saints in round five, but Leon Cameron's team is almost unrecognisable from that disappointing game at Etihad Stadium. Josh Kelly, Toby Greene, Brett Deledio and Adam Kennedy have returned to the senior side from long-term injuries and have been influential in helping the Giants win six of their past seven games. St Kilda's scoring continues to be a worry with Jade Gresham (30) and Tim Membrey (23) the only two players with more than 13 goals this season, and with Phil Davis and Heath Shaw leading a miserly Giants defence, both will need more assistance. The Giants are coming off a tough match against Port Adelaide on the road and off a six-day break, so the Saints might give themselves a chance to start well and cause an upset. With positions inside the top eight extremely tight with five rounds remaining, St Kilda will be keen to cause some headaches on the run home.
WHERE AND WHEN: Spotless Stadium, Saturday, July 28, 4.35pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R5, 2018, St Kilda 10.13 (73) drew Greater Western Sydney 9.19 (73) at Etihad Stadium
R7, 2017, St Kilda 16.12 (108) d Greater Western Sydney 12.13 (85) at Etihad Stadium
R5, 2016, Greater Western Sydney 19.12 (126) d St Kilda 12.7 (79) at Etihad Stadium
R15, 2015, Greater Western Sydney 12.12 (84) d St Kilda 6.13 (49) at Spotless Stadium
R2, 2014, St Kilda 15.5 (95) d Greater Western Sydney 13.10 (88) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Giants led by nine points at three-quarter time earlier this season before the Saints kicked four goals to two in the final quarter to level the scores by the final siren. Brett Deledio had 29 disposals, his best tally for the club.
2. GWS should have a big advantage in the clearances, it's ranked second averaging 54.1 per game, compared to the Saints who are last, with an average of only 51.6. Callan Ward is the Giants' best clearance player in the competition, ranked equal fifth.
3. The Giants and St Kilda meet for the ninth time and the Saints hold a narrow advantage, winning four games to three and one draw.
4. The teams have played only once previously at Spotless Stadium in round 15, 2015 and the Giants won by 35 points. So far this season GWS is four wins from six at the venue.
5. Since round 11 the Giants are the equal best team in the competition, winning six of their last seven matches and kicking 95 points per game. They have conceded just 70. In the same time the Saints are 3-4.
6. GWS star Toby Greene has lost his position as the competition's highest ranked small/medium forward to Hawthorn's Luke Breust. He's now ranked 59th in the Schick AFL Player Ratings, one spot behind the Hawk.
IT’S A BIG WEEK FOR…
Ex-Giant Jack Steele is likely to get a job minding one of his former teammates with Josh Kelly his likely target, and with the GWS midfield firing of late, he'll have his hands full.
PREDICTION: Greater Western Sydney by 29 points
