Before you get ready for this week’s big clash with the Saints, check out some of the key stats that could influence Sunday’s game.
The GIANTS head to Etihad Stadium for the first time this year after two wins from four games there last season. Overall, the GIANTS have won three times in 11 attempts at the venue.
It’s the club’s second trip to Melbourne for the season after facing Melbourne at the MCG in round one. There’s only been one week the club hasn’t travelled away from home this season with the Easter Show meaning the GIANTS are yet to play at Spotless Stadium in Sydney.
The two sides have met five times since the GIANTS entered the AFL with the Saints taking the honours in the first three encounters while the GIANTS are on a two-game winning streak against the team from Seaford.
When the GIANTS were in their infancy, early clashes between the two sides predictably blew out with margins of 128 points and 72 points in the first two contests.
More recent games have been much closer as the Saints got over the line by seven points in the 2014 encounter while the GIANTS turned the tables to win by nine points in round one last year.
The last time these two sides met, in round 15 last year, the GIANTS took the four points with a 35 point win as the Saints travelled to Spotless Stadium for the first time.
Jeremy Cameron, who returns for his first game of the season this week, kicked five goals in that encounter while Stephen Coniglio amassed 26 touches and a remarkable 17 tackles.
Cameron has kicked 11 goals in four games against the Saints and is a confirmed starter for this week’s game after serving a four-match suspension.
Saints champion Nick Riewoldt has kicked 10 goals in four games but could play somewhat of a different role when it comes to Sunday’s game.
Riewoldt has been playing as more of a true wingman so far this season, with the Saints turning to former GIANT Josh Bruce and 2014 number one draft pick Paddy McCartin as their focal points.
Since McCartin returned to the senior setup in round two, the 19-year-old has attracted the second most inside 50 entries (15) behind Bruce (23), whilst in his altered role Riewoldt has only been targeted on eight occasions when inside the arc.
St Kilda has been accurate in front of goals this season, kicking 51 goals and 33 behinds at 56.7 per cent. In contrast, the GIANTS continue to struggle in this area with 55 goals and 56 behinds at 47.8 per cent.
Another area the GIANTS have struggled at in 2016 is tackling. They are ranked 16th with 59.5 per game. The Saints are ranked sixth, averaging 69.5 per game.
St Kilda is ranked second for average disposals per game with 410. It is third for uncontested possessions. The GIANTS are fifth for disposals per game.
The Saints had a tough battle with Hawthorn in Launceston last Saturday, coming within three points of the three-time reigning premiers to sit at one win and three losses ahead of round five.
But their win-loss record doesn’t give enough credit to their strong performances to start the season.
The Saints put in a good showing against Port Adelaide in Adelaide in round one, went down to a rampaging Western Bulldogs and then defeated Collingwood by 29 points, in addition to the tight match with the Hawks.
The GIANTS take on St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon at 1.10pm with live coverage on 7mate in NSW and the ACT and Fox Footy all across Australia.
