Spearhead Max King sparkled in his first match of the season as St Kilda held off a courageous GWS to grab a 12-point triumph in an enthralling AFL conflict at Giants Stadium.
King was very good on return from a shoulder reconstruction and a hamstring damage to complete with 4 objectives because the Saints secured a 13.14 (92) to 12.8 (80) victory on Sunday.
With King again because the Saints’ focus their small forwards Jack Higgins (three objectives), Dan Butler and Jade Gresham (each two) have been additionally capable of run free in a detailed contest during which the lead modified arms 13 instances.
Jack Sinclair (game-high 37 disposals, two objectives), Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (29) and Bradley Hill (20) have been influential within the free-flowing contest, whereas first-year Saint Liam Stocker (24) was one other to impress.
“The return of Max King, I just spoke in the rooms, was a credit to an eight-month rehab,” Saints coach Ross Lyon stated.
“He had a setback with a hamstring tendon but he never wavered. He got due reward today, which is fantastic and I think he’ll just get better and better.”
The hard-fought victory entrenches the Saints (7-3) within the prime eight, whereas the Giants (3-7) will rue a missed alternative after they held the best margin of the tense tussle when main by 13 factors within the opening time period.
Giants key ahead Jesse Hogan was a risk within the air all through and slotted two majors however was off track with a set shot within the dying phases that might have decreased the margin to lower than a aim.
GWS skipper Toby Greene additionally had two objectives on his return from a stint on the sidelines, whereas Brent Daniels additionally lit up the ahead half with 23 disposals and two objectives.
“Brent was really strong. I thought he played a forward role that really created that chaos,” Giants coach Adam Kingsley stated.
“He was the catalyst to getting our game up and going early. He had plenty of opportunities and created plenty of opportunities.”
Former co-captains Stephen Coniglio (26 disposals, one aim) and Josh Kelly (24, one) additionally led the way in which for the Giants, whereas Tom Green (29 touches) battled onerous across the stoppages.
The match was placed on maintain for greater than 5 minutes when Saints younger gun Mitch Owens sustained an unintentional knee to the pinnacle from a teammate and needed to be helped from the sphere within the second time period, earlier than watching the second half from the bench.
The Giants led by 4 factors on the first change and the scores have been degree on the major break after the lead had modified arms eight instances in an excellent opening half.
The tight contest continued via the third time period because the lead modified three extra instances, because the Saints took a three-point benefit into the final quarter earlier than holding on late within the recreation.
The Saints face Hawthorn on Saturday, whereas the Giants head to Geelong to tackle the reigning premiers later the identical day.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
