SHAKY GIANTS HANG ON
GWS has survived an almighty St Kilda surge in the final term in a classic encounter in Canberra to win by a point in a contest marred by two injuries for the top-of-the-table Giants.
GWS has become the first NSW team since Sydney in 2012 to start a season five and zero but a knee injury to Stephen Coniglio and sickening head clash to superstar defender Sam Taylor diluted some of the joy around that achievement.
The Giants said, however, that Coniglio had avoided the dreaded ACL tear while Taylor is said to be as fine as can be after being taken to hospital and will enter the normal concussion protocols.
The Saints kicked the last six goals of the game at Manuka Oval after trailing by a gamehigh 35 points at the start of the final term.
With a minute to go they looked like conjuring up a match-winning opportunity only for substitute James Peatling, who came on for Taylor at quarter-time, to produce a Taylor-like defensive effort with a heroic mark that saved the game for the Giants.
Taylor’s severe concussion was a frightening moment in the opening term as he collided heavily with the back of Jack Steele’s head and lay motionless for several minutes with a badly cut chin.
Play was halted for about 10 minutes to allow for the 2022 GWS club champion and AllAustralian to be treated and while it is unclear when he will be able to return, he will certainly miss a mouth-watering match-up with Charlie Curnow and Carlton next week.
Coniglio was injured in a final-quarter tackle by Mitch Owens at centre half-forward for GWS and as he limped off in the hands of trainers it seemingly stopped GWS’ momentum.
St Kilda took advantage from that moment with the final six goals of the game.
Anthony Caminiti kicked two of them and when he slammed one through from the goalsquare to bring the margin back to a point, the Saints may have secured a miraculous win, if not for Peatling’s intervention.
The Saints comeback was manufactured without spearhead Max King who went off late with a minor knee injury on a quiet day for the tall forward with only four possessions and a behind to his name.
The margin at halftime was 19 points in favour of the Giants but that largely flattered the Saints.
MITCH’S MARK, MISHAP
Mitch Owens was lively in attack for the Saints with two goals and in the second term he took one of the marks of the season with a massive leap and grab in his own defensive 50.
That moment was not savoured, however, as he turned the ball over to Jesse Hogan who snapped truly for his first goal of the day.
CANBERRA KINGS
The showdown between local boys Jack Steele and Tom Green was a large subplot coming into the game and while Steele was the better performer overall, Green had his moment with a wonderful goal from the pocket early.