GWS has held off a valiant St Kilda fightback, winning by nine points at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon. 

The Giants led at every change en route to their first ever victory over the Saints, but the result didn’t come easy.

A host of St Kilda players laid bone-crunching tackles throughout the contest, with Maverick Weller and Dylan Roberton especially savage on the away team’s ball-winners. 

The difference in the contest was the Giants pure leg speed. Dylan Shiel, Adam Treloar and Lachie Whitfield all broke packs at various times, while Toby Greene was impressive.

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Treloar, Whitfield and Shiel all had 28 or more touches, while Greene finished with 22 disposals.

For the Saints, Jack Steven was terrific, collecting 27 touches, five clearances and six inside 50s. 

At quarter time the contest was evenly poised. Both teams were level for disposals and clearances with the scoreboard showing a five-point lead to Leon Cameron’s men.

The first 20 minutes of the second term belonged to GWS before a late fightback from the Saints bought the margin back to 19 points at the main break.

David Armitage’s miraculous goal, which required video umpire intervention, was the perfect way to start the third term.

Up until that point Armitage had worked tirelessly in St Kilda’s engine room, consistently putting his body on the line. He continued his industrious work for the remainder of the game, at one stage even kicking in from full back.

Three consecutive majors in the final quarter bought the margin back to eight points and Shane Savage’s finish from long range bought the crowd to their feet. Not a renowned goal-kicker but a slick ball-user, the Saints should try to get the ball in his hands at every available opportunity for the rest of the year. Despite roaming half-back for the majority of the game, Savage finished with two majors.

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Ultimately St Kilda had too much to do, too late. When Riewoldt limped off with what looked to be a whiplash neck injury, it was always going to be difficult to continue the spirited fightback. The skipper, who booted one goal for the game, was taken two hospital after the match as a precautionary measure, but he wasn't concussed. 

The Saints will be encouraged by individual performances, particularly Jarryn Geary, Jack Steven, Tim Membrey and Maverick Weller. Even Josh Bruce, who acted as a second ruckman for much of the game, bobbed up late and two a couple of strong marks.

Weller was a brute for the entire afternoon and has taken on an Armitage-type role in the midfield which is not only selfless, but also courageous. 

Nobody likes losing, but if the Saints demonstrate a similar level of determination every week, they will be on the right side of more results than 2014.

ST KILDA: 11.12 (78)

GWS GIANTS: 12.15 (87)

BEST: Steven, Geary, Membrey, Weller, Armitage, Schneider, Savage

GOALS: Schneider, Savage, Bruce, Membrey (2), Armitage, Riewoldt, Dunstan