Saints cruise past Giants but coach not talking finals

Jesse Wardlaw has kicked a game-high three goals as St Kilda easily accounted for GWS. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

Coach Nick Dal Santo isn't daring to dream of AFLW finals after St Kilda snapped a three-game losing streak with a 34-point win over GWS.

Three unanswered first-quarter goals set the tone for an impressive 7.7 (49) to 2.3 (15) victory at Frankston's Kinetic Stadium on Tuesday night.

St Kilda (4-3, 16 points), moved up to seventh on the ladder ahead of hosting Melbourne on Sunday, while effectively ending the Giants' season.

When asked if finals chat had creeped in, Dal Santo said: "Not from me. Not from us, no.

"We've got a really tough game Sunday. We respect the Dees.

"We're in no position - and I don't think we ever have been - to be speaking about finals or where we currently sit.

"We're really clear on areas that we need to focus on, we're really clear on things we're doing relatively well then trying to replicate that in five days' time.

"So no, we haven't spoken about finals."

GWS (1-1-5, six points) sit 16th amid a six-game winless run and are 12 points outside the top eight with four games left.

The Giants suffered a blow before the game when Tarni Evans (lower leg) was a late withdrawal, joining the rested Izzy Huntington (knee soreness).

Star St Kilda midfielder Jaimee Lambert (27 disposals, 22 contested possessions, eight clearances, 11 tackles) was superb while Jesse Wardlaw (seven marks) kicked three goals and was unbeatable in the air.

Lambert had treatment on her shoulder after a big tackle in the third term but played out the game and Dal Santo expected her to be fit.

Giants midfielder Alyce Parker (29 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 10 clearances) was prolific while skipper Bec Beeson (24 disposals) continued her fine form.

St Kilda nailed the first three majors of the game to set themselves up, including a stunning running goal to Tyanna Smith.

St Kilda didn't let up in the second term, slamming on another three goals as GWS failed to deal with their intense pressure.

GWS finally got on the board early in the second half, with Alicia Eva kicking two goals, but the home side still led by 27 at three-quarter time.

Wardlaw shut the door when she converted her third goal.

"First half went wrong," GWS coach Cam Bernasconi said.

"What I’m really proud of with this group is we’re sticking to what we’re trying to do, we’re continuing to learn.

"We’ve got a young group and there’s moments and parts of our game that are going really well but unfortunately when it’s not gone our way we leak goals and that was the story of our season and tonight."

GWS' Annise Bradfield was carried off distraught late.

Bernasconi was confident she had avoided a knee injury but there were concerns over her fibula, with Bradfield to have scans.

Things don't get any easier for the Giants, who return to NSW to host powerhouse Adelaide.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store