AFL Round 24
 
GIANTS v Saints 
Sunday, August 24 12:20pm 
ENGIE Stadium | Wangal Country  

What It Means For The GIANTS?

While last weekend’s compelling win over the Suns was a GIANT step towards securing a place in September, a win against the Saints on Sunday will guarantee the GIANTS feature in finals in 2025.

Not only would a win likely secure a home final, or at best pending other results, a double chance, it would see Adam Kingsley’s side continue to build momentum as they enter their third finals appearance in as many years – and their eighth in the last 10 seasons.

The orange tsunami has been stirring in recent weeks and a dominant performance against St Kilda would showcase the GIANTS’ trademark game plan at its best – fast and fearless ball movement, relentless pressure around the contest, and a defensive structure that can strangle opposition momentum.

Expect the GIANTS to double down on their high-energy brand of footy using their trademark surge and spread to challenge the Saints across a consistent four quarter performance.

A win on Sunday wouldn’t just underline the progress that Adam Kingsley’s side has made this season - it would be a clear statement that their trademark brand, built on relentless effort, cohesion, and a ruthless edge, is peaking at the perfect time.

The Opposition

While finals are out of reach for the Saints in 2025, their recent form shows they’re far from switching off. St Kilda have won four of their last five matches, playing with freedom and confidence as they look to finish the season on a strong note.

Key to the Saints’ winning ways over the past month has been strong form from a mix of their experienced players and some of their exciting young talent, with the likes of Marcus Windhager and Max Hall having breakout seasons, while lively small forward Jack Higgins has recaptured his early season form to sit with a career-high 46 goals to his name in 2025.

Adding to their momentum, the Saints were buoyed this week by the re-signing of emerging star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, who inked a two-year extension to remain at the club.

Recent History

Sunday’s fixture will mark the second time these two sides have faced off this season, with the two teams going head-to-head at Norwood Oval during Gather Round earlier this year.

Captain Toby Greene led his troops to a 28-point victory, kicking a bag of five and notching up 17 disposals, while the dangerous duo of Lachie Ash and Lachie Whitfield gave the GIANTS ample drive off half-back and unleashing the trademark tsunami.

The GIANTS have the upper on the Saints in the more recent head-to-head history, winning four of the last five, with the Saints most recent win a 12-point victory in round 10, 2023. 

Key Match Up: Fontempelli v Higgo

Often tasked with taking on the opposition’s most dangerous small forwards, Joe Fonti looms as a crucial figure in this week’s defensive setup and all signs point to a likely match up with St Kilda's livewire, Jack Higgins.

Higgins, the Saints’ back-to-back leading goalkicker, has been a barometer for their forward half performance and scoreboard impact throughout the season. Averaging 2.1 goals per game and ranking elite in that category league-wide, the crafty small forward is capable of turning a game in just a few moments.

That’s where Fonti comes in. Known for his tenacious defence craft, silky skills and elite acceleration, the 20-year-old's performance could go a long way in limiting Higgins’ influence and halting St Kilda’s attacking rhythm.

GIANTS Player To Watch: Harry Himmelberg

Harry Himmelberg is a player to watch in this week’s clash against the Saints, with the versatile GIANT set to celebrate his 200th AFL game.

Himmelberg has been in career-best form as a defender, consistently showcasing his elite intercept marking, composure under pressure, and precise ball use coming out of the back half.

His ability to read the play and launch counterattacks has been a key asset for the GIANTS this season.

With his milestone match adding extra motivation, expect Himmelberg to rise to the occasion and play a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of this important contest.

In The Mix:

The GIANTS could be bolstered by the return of two key players, with Jack Buckley (calf) and Brent Daniels (adductor) a chance to play this week.

Buckley has missed the last three games with a calf injury, while Daniels would be looking to play his first game since round 14.

Meanwhile, James Leake and Nick Madden continue to put together consistent performances in the VFL as candidates for an AFL recall. 

Team Selection:

The GIANTS will name their squad for round 24 via the gwsgiants.com.au with the final team to be named at 5pm on Friday.

Rehab Report:

Get a full injury update ahead of Sunday’s match here.

Where To Watch:

The GIANTS’ clash with the Saints will be shown live and free in NSW and the ACT on Channel 7 and 7plus from 12pm, as well as nationally on Fox Footy and Kayo from 12pm.

The GIANTS have survived a huge scare as captain Toby Greene reeled in a pair of match-defining marks to lock in a home final with an 11-point victory over St Kilda at ENGIE Stadium.

The GIANTS booted four of the last five goals to be all but certain of hosting an elimination final, while clinging onto faint hope of snatching a double chance with a 15.14 (104) to 14.9 (93) win against the Saints on Sunday.

The most likely scenario will see the GIANTS hosting a home elimination final, but in the unlikely event that Brisbane and Hawthorn play out a draw on Sunday night, the GIANTS could finish fourth on the ladder and travel to play Adelaide in a qualifying final.

Greene stepped up to inspire his side when the match was on the line as the chance of a home final began slipping out of their grasp, with two goals and a couple of classic marks in a see-sawing final term.

The three-time All-Australian was the first to respond after the Saints had booted three consecutive goals to open up a healthy lead before the GIANTS made a late surge.

Greene pulled the GIANTS closer with his fourth goal of the game then set up another within a minute as he took command at the centre bounce.

But when the Saints threatened again as Max Hall slotted a set shot from a difficult angle, Greene threw the GIANTS on his back.

The skipper pulled down a screamer in the forward pocket before hitting the post, but then bettered that mark when running back with the flight into the centre square just as the Saints were about to counterattack.

Darcy Jones booted the sealer with less than a minute remaining to ensure the GIANTS will be back home in the coming weeks. 

Max Gruzewski also stood tall in the GIANTS' injury-hit forward line with three critical goals which could have been much more as he missed a pair of set shots in an otherwise promising display. 

Tom Green (33 disposals) was important around the stoppages and Finn Callaghan (26) was superb early as the GIANTS made a fast start. 

The Saints came close to shaping the top eight for the second season in a row as they stifled the GIANTS' ball movement and restricted the finals-bound side to only 28 inside 50s to the last change. 

But the GIANTS had more run and dare late in the game while the Saints paid the price for star midfielder Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera spending time on the bench with cramp in the dying stages.

Wanganeen-Milera has hardly been slowed down by speculation around his future this year so it was little surprise to see him hit the ground running after re-signing with the Saints.  

The young gun regularly showed his class after agreeing to a lucrative deal earlier this week and came close to sparking the Saints in the opening half.

He missed three gilt-edge opportunities to give his side a boost with some unusually wayward kicking for goal only producing three behinds.

But the 22-year-old did his usual damage around the field as he turned provider and finished with 23 disposals, including 10 contested possessions, and seven clearances as he continues to grow his game. 

Darcy Wilson gave the Saints plenty of hope for the future as well as giving them a sniff against the GIANTS after booting a career-best five goals.

Saints veteran Zak Jones had an opportunity to reclaim the lead with less than five minutes remaining but hooked his set shot from 40m out and directly in front, before the GIANTS dug deep to hold on.

GIANT Celebrates Milestone Match In Style

Harry Himmelberg has shown he knows where the goals are across his 200 matches with the GIANTS but has rarely got forward enough to trouble the scorers this year. The 29-year-old key forward-turned-defender had only booted two goals this season before lurking around the 50m arc while Jake Riccardi lined up an early set shot. As the St Kilda defence switched off, Himmelberg pounced to receive a simple handball and open the scoring with a long bomb that sailed through the goals at post height. Himmelberg settled back into defence from there but celebrated his milestone match in style with 21 disposals and 12 marks.  

GIANT             4.3    6.6    10.7    15.14 (104)
ST KILDA        2.5    6.7    10.8    14.9 (93)

GOALS

GIANTS: Greene 4, Gruzewski 3, Jones 2, Himmelberg, Thomas, Rowston, Bedford, Brown, Green
St Kilda: Wilson 5, Phillipou 2, Collard 2, Sharman 2, Hall 2, Keeler

BEST

GIANTS: Greene, Callaghan, Green, Ash, Whitfield, Gruzewski, Himmelberg
St Kilda: Wanganeen-Milera, Wilson, Windhager, Sinclair, Steele

INJURIES

GIANTS: Coniglio (concussion)
St Kilda: Phillipou (calf)

SUBSTITUTES

GIANTS: Jacob Wehr (replaced Stephen Coniglio in the second quarter)
St Kilda: Jack Macrae (replaced Mattaes Phillipou in the third quarter)

Crowd: 10,560 at ENGIE Stadium