Injuries to star players Sam Taylor and Stephen Coniglio has soured the GIANTS' fifth win of the season, with the GIANTS holding off a fast-finishing St Kilda at Manuka Oval by just one point on Saturday afternoon.

Four consecutive second-half goals on Saturday saw the GIANTS break away and position themselves for a fifth straight win that has solidified their spot at the top of the ladder.

But they received an almighty late scare, with the Saints kicking the final six goals of the match to almost turn around a 35-point deficit and trail by a solitary point with 41 seconds left.

But a heroic late mark from GIANTS substitute James Peatling in defence helped secure the victory, with Adam Kingsley's side winning 11.14 (80) and 12.7 (79) to maintain their unbeaten start to the year.

The late run produced a scoreboard that probably flattered St Kilda, who were well beaten before their late surge gave them a puncher's chance against a GIANTS side that was hit hard by injury.

Star defender Taylor taken to hospital after a sickening head injury in the first quarter and Coniglio suffering a knee injury late in the match, although the star midfielder has been cleared of any serious issue, with Kingsley labelling the injury "not minor, but not serious."

St Kilda star forward Max King, who wasn't able to take advantage of Taylor's absence for most of the match, also suffered a knee injury late in the game and finished on the bench.

Taylor was knocked out in a sickening accidental head clash with Jack Steele in the first quarter, with the game halted by almost 10 minutes as he received medical attention and was stretchered off the ground. He was later taken to Canberra Hospital for assessment but was cleared of serious injury.

The star defender seems certain to miss at least next week's blockbuster against Carlton, while the GIANTS will be holding their breath for good news on Coniglio, with the club confident he has avoided serious damage but will require scans to fully assess the issue.

Josh Kelly (ribs) and Kieran Briggs (shoulder) were also sore during the match.

Forwards Toby Greene and Jesse Hogan found two goals each for the GIANTS, with the latter's set shot seconds before three-quarter time putting the GIANTS into what seemed to be a match-winning 29-point lead.

Four Saints kicked two majors including Anthony Caminiti, whose two goals both came deep in the fourth quarter as his side bolted home.

Canberrans Tom Green and Jack Steele locked horns in an engaging head-to-head battle on home turf, with the GIANTS star perhaps edging the contest of the inside midfielders.

Green, who slotted a brilliant snapped goal on the run early to stamp his authority on the game, finished with 24 touches and five clearances, with teammate Lachie Whitfield racking up a game-high 34 disposals.

Steele returned fire with his own goal in the third term to spark a mini-fightback before the GIANTS took over.

St Kilda forward Mitchito Owens had an eventful second term, kicking two goals before spraying an easy chance way wide as his side looked to cut their deficit.

He also took a mark of the year contender over Aaron Cadman, but chipped his subsequent kick straight to Hogan for an easy goal.

Saint Bradley Hill was in dynamic touch and finished with 33 disposals and a goal, while ruck Rowan Marshall put in a monstrous game that included 16 clearances and 10 inside 50s.

GIANTS        4.4    7.6   10.10    11.14 (80)
ST KILDA     1.3     4.5     6.5      12.7 (79)
 
GOALS

GIANTS: Hogan 2, Greene 2, Thomas, Riccardi, Kelly, Green, Daniels, Coniglio, Cadman
St Kilda: Owens 2, Membrey 2, Higgins 2, Wilson, Steele, Sinclair, Hill, Caminiti

BEST

GIANTS: Whitfield, Green, Ash, Greene, Bedford
St Kilda: Hill, Marshall, Steele, Owens, Garcia
 
INJURIES

GIANTS: Taylor (concussion), Coniglio (knee), Kelly (ribs), Briggs (shoulder)
St Kilda: King (knee)
 
SUBSTITUTES

GIANTS: James Peatling (replaced Sam Taylor in the first quarter)
St Kilda: Hugo Garcia (replaced Dan Butler in the third quarter)

Crowd: 12,448 at Manuka Oval