The Giants will look to continue their unbeaten start to 2024 when they host St Kilda in Canberra in an elimination final rematch.
GWS (4-0, 155.5%), who won that elimination final as part of the club’s deep 2023 September run, sits atop of the AFL ladder in a hot start for Adam Kingsley’s unchanged side to emerge as one of the hot flag favourites.
It’s been more a mixed bag of results for Ross Lyon’s Saints (2-2, 103.5%), who’ve dropped Angus Hastie and Zak Jones for Marcus Windhager and Hugo Garcia after last week’s comeback win over Richmond.
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MATCH UPDATES
There were no late changes, with James Peatling (GWS) and Hugo Garcia (St Kilda) named the starting subs.
The Giants got off to a hot start, kicking the first two goals through Brent Daniels and Harvey Thomas as the Giant tsunami was in full flight.
In a sickening moment, Sam Taylor came off second best in a heavy collision with Jack Steele.
Taylor was in a bad way on the ground before treated to by doctors and medicos as play was stopped for some time. Thee star defender was eventually stretchered off the field and set to be taken to hospital for further monitoring.
“He’s not in a good way, without stating the obvious. He hasn’t moved as the medical staff still surround him. Our thoughts are with Sam and his family,” Fox Footy commentator Mark Howard said.
The Giants later said Taylor was conscious in a promising update.
As play recommenced, Stephen Coniglio made it three-straight goals for his side to continue its scintillating start.
Jack Higgins finally got one back for St Kilda with a crafty snap from the boundary line.
The Saints led 4.4 (28) to 1.3 (9) at quarter-time.
Giants footy boss Jason McCartney provided an update on Taylor during the first break.
“He’s gone to Canberra Hospital for further assessment. But he was conscious and speaking as he got in the ambulance,” McCartney told Fox Footy.
“Obviously it didn’t look great, but he’s a courageous kid. He’s in the very best hands now and he’ll be fine.”
The Saints showed an improved effort in the second term to get back in the game including two goals to Mitch Owens.
Owens’ second goal made up for a costly turnover he made in defence just before it hat led to a Jesse Hogan goal.
“The Saints have snuck themselves back into a competitive position,” Brownlow medallist Gerard Healy highlighted on Fox Footy.
Toby Greene steadied the ship for the Giants with an important goal – his second for the day – to push their lead back out to 19 points.
GWS led 7.6 (48) to 4.5 (29) at half-time.
The match gets underway at 1:45pm AEST from Manuka Oval.
Watch it live on Fox Footy (channel 504), streaming on Kayo or using Hubbl from 1:30pm AEST.
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