It was a moment 26 years in the making.

For the first time in the Smithy’s VFL since 2000, St Kilda ran out in red, white and black as a stand-alone outfit, but it was the GWS Giants who played party crashers.

A hot start from the Giants proved too big a hurdle to overcome for Brendon Goddard’s Saints, running out 118-to-74 winners at Tom Wills Oval in Sydney Olympic Park.  

VFL: GIANTS V SAINTS MATCH CENTRE

The home side burst out of the blocks with the first three goals of the game, before draftee Kye Fincher’s pinpoint pass found the waiting arms of Liam Gunson for St Kilda’s first goal of their return campaign.

Neat finishes from Fincher and Patrick Said kept the Saints in the contest in the second term, before a goal after the siren kept GWS in control.

Coming out of the main break with a 20-point deficit, St Kilda’s fightback was halted by a unique delay as nearby lightning put a stop to proceedings, sending both teams off the field as a precaution early in the third term.

Following a half-hour delay, the Giants kicked into gear with three consecutive third-quarter goals to tighten their grip on the game.

St Kilda hit back in fine style to start the final term with three quick goals to Tyson Nagel, Jonah Campigli and Isaac Keeler cutting the margin to 18 points, before the Giants steadied to finish 44-point winners.

DRAFTEES MIXED DAY

It was two vastly different experiences for St Kilda’s pair of AFL draftees in their first competitive hitout. Kye Fincher’s composure with ball in hand caught the eye, setting up the Saints’ first goal with a delightful pass to the opposite pocket. The midfielder collected 23 touches (10 contested) and a goal. Unfortunately for West Australian Charlie Banfield, a shoulder injury ended his day in the first term.

LEADING FROM THE FRONT

Days after being named St Kilda captain, Billy McGee Galimberti fought hard to keep his side in the contest. The skipper gathered a team-high 26 disposals and 10 intercepts.  

HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT

Alex Dodson competed hard with Giants big man Nic Madden, both players impressing in different stages. Madden held sway in the ruck duel, but it was Dodson who remained involved in the contest around the ground, collecting 20 disposals linking up with his midfielders.  

A SIGHT FOR SORE EYES

Watching a Saints outfit compete at state league level again was always going to be a treat for long-time St Kilda supporters. To make things sweeter, the Saints rolled out in the iconic ‘candy stripe’ guernsey, a much-loved fan-favourite. With former St Kilda star Brendon Goddard at the helm as senior coach, it was hard not to feel a sense of nostalgia on Saturday afternoon. 

MATCH FACTS

GIANTS 3.6 7.10 11.12 17.16 (118)

SAINTS 1.5 4.8 5.12 10.14 (74)

GOALS

Giants: Hughes 3, Hebron 3, Hannaford 3, Ough 2, Hooper 2, Hamilton 2, McMullin, Hitchens

Saints: Richardson 2, Campigli 2, Said, Nagel, Keeler, Gunson, Fincher, Algeri

TOP PLAYER STATS

McGee Galimberti – 26 disposals, 10 intercepts, 5 marks

Fincher – 23 disposals, 4 clearances, 1 goal

Algeri – 23 disposals, 4 clearances, 1 goal

Clarke – 21 disposals, 9 inside 50s, 7 clearances

Travaglia – 18 disposals (13 contested), 89% efficiency, 6 intercepts, 5 tackles

INJURIES

Charlie Banfield (shoulder) left the game in the first term and did not return.

NEXT GAME

St Kilda head to Frankston for a Friday night clash under lights at Kinetic Stadium.