Leon Cameron conceded the GIANTS were "lucky" to escape with a draw, giving up an 18-point final-term lead as St Kilda charged home on Saturday.
The GIANTS coach praised his backs for keeping them in the contest, forced to defend an extra 20 inside 50's against a spirited Saints outfit.
Leading by three goals 14 minutes into the last quarter, the
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"I know you can win games by having a discrepancy (of) inside 50's or a discrepancy in statistics, but I thought our backs basically saved us," Cameron said post-match.
"The scoreboard, even though we had a few more scoring shots, we were probably lucky to get away with the two points."
Only
Frustrated as the GIANTS endured their third draw in the space of 17 matches, Cameron said the Saints' midfield finally got hold of the match late after threatening all day.
"I thought Phil spoiled really well all day, they (the umpires) are closer than obviously what I am but I thought Phil spoiled late," Cameron said.
"I think what's happening is the umpires are making sure if you've got to clunk a mark, you've got to really clunk it."
"When you have to defend an extra 20 inside 50's, I thought our backs held up reasonably well, in
"We actually lost the midfield battle today. It was obviously tight and tough in there and they clearly won the ground balls, which is a big indicator these days."
In his second match back after hamstring tightness, small forward Toby Greene was held to 15 disposals by Saints captain Jarryn Geary with assistance from Brandon White.
"I think you've got to give credit to Geary, he's the captain of their footy club and he played a really good game," Cameron said.
"Toby would be the first to put his hand up and say he was beaten by Geary today, he's a proud player.
"He's had an interrupted pre-season but he's not one for excuses and we aren't either.
Greene had the chance to ice the match at the
"We kicked poorly for goal, that's a couple of weeks in a row now, our goalkicking has been disappointing, sets shots especially," Cameron said.
"It does cost
"Clearly at times we didn't, especially the third quarter. It's an art of the game that you've got to get right. Sometimes it seems so simple, but we can't deliver on it sometimes."
The GIANTS will be desperate to get ruckman Rory Lobb back from a knee injury after veteran No.2 ruck Dawson Simpson had his
Defender Nick Haynes will be another player monitored this week, lasting until
"He actually wanted to play the last quarter," Cameron said.
"He's going to have to do everything possible to be right for next week. Hopefully, we can recover him."
The GIANTS will play their first match at Spotless Stadium for the year next Saturday against Brisbane.
