The GIANTS have stormed into the top eight for the first time this season, with forward Jeremy Cameron returning from suspension to kick five goals in a powerful 47-point win over St Kilda on Sunday.
In a blistering fourth quarter that stunned the Saints, GWS kicked six unanswered goals to seal the 19.12 (126) to 12.7 (79) win under the roof at Etihad Stadium.
Cameron repaid his team after a four-match suspension, booting four first-half goals in his return and finishing with 5.0 from just seven kicks as part of a potent forward line that included Toby Greene and Steve Johnson (four goals each).
The Saints were brave for three quarters and trailed by just 16 points at the final change, but the GIANTS went on a fearsome 13-minute run to take the margin out to a game-high 52 points.
St Kilda kicked three of the last five goals to trim the final margin in a loss that takes its season record to a disappointing 1-4 just eight days after pushing the triple premiership Hawks in Launceston.
Veteran Leigh Montagna finished the game with his left hamstring iced on the bench, while skipper Nick Riewoldt played through the final term despite an ankle injury.
GWS led from start to finish and gave another indication it is likely to play finals for the first time in the club's short history, with the depth of Leon Cameron's midfield overwhelming the Saints.
Greene was the star with 31 possessions and 10 inside 50s, with on-baller Stephen Coniglio racking up a game-high 32 possessions.
Half-backs Shaw, Nathan Wilson and Zac Williams were influential with a combined 20 rebound 50s, with 12 of the GIANTS’ 19 goals coming from scoring chains that started in the back half.
"No doubt when Williams or Wilson can win one-on-ones and turn defence into offense really, really quickly it can catch the opposition off," Cameron said post-match.
"I think the game is actually taking us that way. Everyone would love to have really good running backs because it can help you score … our guys are in pretty good form.
The closed Etihad Stadium roof helped the visitors play at a breakneck pace off half-back, kicking the first four goals of the match after forcing turnovers down back.
The Saints were their own worst enemy, using the ball at just 63 per cent efficiency before kicking their goal at the 21-minute mark of the first term.
Their kicking was particularly shoddy, and by the midway point of the second term their efficiency by foot was down to 57 per cent compared to the GIANTS’ 74 per cent.
Coach Alan Richardson was scathing of both his players' "sloppy" ball use and their willingness to stand by and let others do the hard work.
"When they (the GIANTS) went to another level we didn't go there," the coach said.
"You look at the difference in the intensity, the urgency and the wont to get over and support each other.
"I'm going to generalise or exaggerate to make the point – there was a little bit of 'I'll let someone else do it and I might be able to get on the end of it.'"
Missed opportunities from the GIANTS – they kicked 2.4 in the third quarter from 21 inside 50s – allowed the Saints to stay in the game, despite their shortcomings.
Richardson's men sensed an opportunity during a rare period of ascendency late in the third term to cut the margin to just 10 points.
They couldn't take that momentum into the final term, however, and were cut adrift of the top eight by a team that looks determined to get its first taste of September football this year.
MEDICAL ROOM
St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt has been battling ankle soreness and tweaked his right ankle late in the third quarter when kicking inside 50. He left the ground and had the injury re-strapped and was able to play out the game. Leigh Montagna was pulled from the game with hamstring tightness once a win was out of the Saints' reach. Ruckman Tom Hickey needed a spell after banging his left knee in a ruck duel but recovered to play the match out. GWS finished with a clean bill of health.
NEXT UP
The GIANTS play their first match for 2016 at Spotless Stadium next week and open their home venue in a Saturday twilight clash against Hawthorn. The Saints have a chance at redemption against Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
ST KILDA 3.1 6.3 9.6 12.7 (79)
GWS GIANTS 5.3 9.6 11.10 19.12 (126)
GOALS
St Kilda: Riewoldt 4, Bruce 2, Savage 2, Dunstan, McCartin, Sinclair, Newnes
Greater Western Sydney: Cameron 5, Greene 4, Johnson 4, Patton, Smith, Steele, Ward, Whitfield, Williams
BEST
St Kilda: Riewoldt, Armitage, Steven, Ross, Savage
Greater Western Sydney: Greene, Coniglio, Williams, Wilson, Cameron, Griffen, Shaw
INJURIES
St Kilda: Riewoldt (foot), Montagna (hamstring)
Greater Western Sydney: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Harris, Fleer, McInerney
Official crowd: TBC at Etihad Stadium
