IN MANY respects, this afternoon’s contest between two up-and-coming sides was a repeat of the corresponding match in round one.

Unfortunately for Saints fans, the same result ensued –  however this time the Giants won by 35 points, not nine points.

But as has been a common theme in 2015, effort was not St Kilda’s downfall. Rather, it was an inability hit targets with the ball and a frustrating lack of midfield pressure without the ball that cost the Saints in a less than convincing first half.

GWS, while undoubtedly blessed with talent, gladly accepted an array of turnovers in the first half that cost the Saints dearly.

The Saints rallied eventually and reduced the margin from 40 to 16 points, but spent all their energy in doing so.

Jack Steven was tremendous all afternoon, collecting  29 disposals and laying a career-high 14 tackles.

From defence, Shane Savage and Dylan Roberton were impressive, while Jarryn Geary played arguably his best game for the season.

VIDEO: Weller runs in and snaps a beauty

Josh Bruce worked his way into the game but was well held by Aidan Corr and was St Kilda’s only multiple goal kicker. He played deeper than Nick Riewoldt, whose role further afield provided options for St Kilda’s aforementioned defenders.

Earlier, it took until the 13-minute mark of the second term for St Kilda to kick its first goal.

The fact the Saints had registered six behinds in the meantime characterised their sloppy ball use in the first quarter. And the Giants, who possess a raft of slick movers, were more than happy to make the most of their opponent’s turnovers, galloping out to a 22-point lead at the first break. Perhaps more than the scoreboard itself, St Kilda’s kicking efficiency of 52 per cent in the first quarter told an untidy tale that would cast a dark shadow over the game.

Jeremy Cameron was the primary beneficiary, booting three of GWS’s first four majors, before Dylan Shiel ran into an open goal to kick the first of the second term.

Even an extended spell of play in which the ball remained locked in St Kilda’s forward-line produced just one Adam Schneider behind. 

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Alan Richardson’s men, while trying hard, were not getting any reward for effort. Steven had eight tackles halfway through the second term and gave the Saints a glimmer of hope with the team’s second major just before half-time.

But with the margin at 34 points at the main break, a commitment to hitting targets forward of centre was required as a starting point to get St Kilda back in the contest.

On cue, the ball spilled to Luke Dunstan who found the leading Josh Bruce. The former Giant finished for his first of the day, before Maverick Weller made it two in the space of 90 seconds shortly after.

Riewoldt’s first followed, and in the blink of an eye the margin was cut to 16 points. Evidently, the half-time break came at a good time for the Saints and their renewed vigour and endeavour exemplified this.

Jimmy Webster ran back with the flight of the ball and was crunched, Sinclair earned himself a free kick in midfield after back-to-back ground ball efforts, and Roberton continually put himself in the firing line of Jeremy Cameron as a spare man behind the footy.

As dominant as GWS was in the first term, St Kilda was in the third. Montagna collected 14 disposals for the quarter, while the Saints registered 18 inside 50s.

The Giants, who were goalless for the term, did well to escape with a 16-point lead heading into the final quarter.

But as is often the case in a comeback scenario, the fourth term showed that the Saints had spent a vast portion of their chips in the third quarter simply trying to get back in the contest.

Although St Kilda had more disposals and the ball spent more time in its forward half than  the home team's, the final margin of 35 points was probably a fair reflection of the way the game played out. The Giants had a touch more polish and were able to weather the storm, but the Saints, although disappointed, should not be disheartened. 

In round one it was a case of too little, too late. Today, the Saints simply left themselves too much to do. 

ST KILDA: 0.5 2.7 5.10

GWS: 4.3 8.5 8.8

GOALS: Bruce 2, Steven, Weller, Riewoldt, Sinclair,

BEST: Steven, Roberton, Montagna, Geary, Savage, Newnes,

SUBS: Farren Ray replaced Seb Ross late in the third quarter.

INJURIES: Nick Riewoldt finished the game on the bench with his lower calf iced.

REPORTS: Billy Longer reported for rough conduct.