2026 St Kilda Saints vs GWS Giants Preview
GWS can take another step forward towards September with a win over St Kilda in AFL Round 14.
The Giants come in hot, having won two matches prior to the bye but will need to keep that momentum up against a St Kilda side that regained key players last weekend and almost pulled off an upset win against Sydney at the SCG.
But the Giants have been one of the competition's benchmark sides over recent seasons and appear to be rediscovering their best football after an inconsistent start to 2026.
The return of several key players has strengthened them considerably compared to the side that went down to St Kilda by four points earlier this season. Sam Taylor is back anchoring the defence, while Jesse Hogan is a chance to return, adding further firepower to a forward line that has functioned impressively even without its spearhead.
Their midfield depth and running players from half-back also shapes as a major advantage. Finn Callaghan, Lachie Whitfield, Lachie Ash, and Clayton Oliver give the Giants multiple avenues through the middle and in transition and should be capable of matching a St Kilda side that was excellent at clearance level against Sydney last weekend.
The Saints deserve respect after their spirited performance at the SCG and the return of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Liam Ryan immediately made them a more dangerous side. However, GWS arrive fresher following the bye and with momentum after consecutive convincing victories prior to the break.
Under the Marvel Stadium roof, this game also shapes as a strong chance to exceed the total match points line. St Kilda's past three matches have averaged 193 points, while the Giants' past two have averaged 220 points. Both sides have shown an increased willingness to move the ball aggressively and generate scores from turnover, which should create plenty of opportunities at both ends.
Take the Giants in the head to head with the total match points to go over. Lachie Ash and Wanganeen-Milera shape as major disposal winners for either side.
- GWS have won four of their past five matches against St Kilda.
- Lachie Ash has averaged just under 35 disposals in his past three against the Saints.
- Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera returned from injury with 32 disposals last weekend.
- The total match points have averaged 193 in St Kilda's last three matches and 220 in the Giants' last two.
Head to Head
St Kilda were four-point winners over the Giants in Round 2 this season in Sydney, but the Giants won the four prior meetings between the two sides.
Standout player performances in the recent head-to-heads have come from:
- Lachie Whitfield (Giants) - averages 30 disposals in his past six against the Saints
- Lachie Ash (Giants) - averaging 34.7 disposals in his past three against the Saints and has recorded 30+ in each of those matches
- Jesse Hogan (Giants) - has kicked two goals in each of his past five against the Saints
- Jack Higgins (Saints) - 16 goals in his past eight against the Giants, with 2+ in six of those
St Kilda Saints Form Analysis
St Kilda head in with a win-loss record of 5-8 and have dropped their past three matches, with those losses coming against Fremantle, Hawthorn and Sydney.
The Saints have lost six of seven matches against sides that made finals last season but, since a poor first half against Hawthorn a fortnight ago, they have been competitive and only went down to Sydney by two points at the SCG last weekend.
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera returned from injury with 32 disposals and a goal, while Jack Sinclair (28 disposals) and Hugo Garcia (29) were among their better players. Liam Ryan was a standout inside forward 50 with five goals.
Sinclair has had 25+ disposals in his past eight matches, while Max Hall has reached that mark in his past four. Wanganeen-Milera has had 30+ in his past three, while Ryan has booted eight goals in his past two matches.
St Kilda Saints Team News
St Kilda are unlikely to make too many changes to their line-up and are just a few players away from being at full strength, with Jack Higgins and Max King a couple that are edging closer towards a return from injury.
GWS Giants Form Analysis
After a slow start to the season, the Giants have come alive, coming off two strong wins before the bye. They defeated Melbourne by 49 points before the break and, the week prior, the Orange Tsunami finally rolled into gear with a record-breaking 78-point demolition of Brisbane, producing one of the most devastating quarters seen in recent AFL history by kicking 14 unanswered goals in the third quarter.
Their pressure, contest work and ability to generate scores from turnover have been back to their damaging best, with GWS forcing repeated front-half turnovers and dominating territory through relentless pressure around the ball.
The Giants have now won six matches this season and will head in full of confidence after finally clicking as a unit, while the bye has given them the opportunity to freshen up as we head to the business end of the season.
Clayton Oliver, Lachie Ash and Finn Callaghan have all had 30+ disposals in two of their past three matches, while Toby Greene has booted eight goals in his past two. Emerging forward Max Gruzewski has kicked three in each of his past two matches and has recorded 2+ in his past four.
GWS Giants Team News
Jesse Hogan, Ryan Angwin and Cody Angove are expected to be available to return from injury, but Stephen Coniglio, Darcy Jones and Jack Buckley remain on the injury list.