An undermanned St Kilda have snatched a gutsy eight-point win over the GIANTS in slippery conditions at GIANTS Stadium.

The Saints, whose list of injured absentees included Zak Jones, Dan Hannebery, Max King, James Frawley, Rowan Marshall and Jarryn Geary, led for the majority of the third term.

But Harry Himmelberg, asked to step up in the aftermath of 2019 Coleman medallist Jeremy Cameron's departure to Geelong, slotted goals either side of three-quarter time to put the GIANTS in front.

Himmelberg and St Kilda key forward Tim Membrey each kicked three goals, belying conditions that made marking the ball difficult.

Jack Billings tallied a game-high 30 disposals for the Saints, while teammates Jade Gresham and Hunter Clark were also influential.

Momentum ebbed and flowed during a hectic final quarter of the wet-weather contest, which the visitors won 13.8 (86) to 11.12 (78).

A late goal from utility Lachlan Keeffe ensured the game was in the balance throughout the final four minutes.

Dan Butler, the Saints' leading goalkicker in 2020, produced the game-sealing effort with 40 seconds remaining.

Butler raced in and knocked the ball loose from Callan Ward's grasp, earning a holding-the-ball free kick.

Butler nailed his resultant set shot, ensuring the Saints banked their first win at the venue.

Captains Stephen Coniglio and Jack Steele had a fascinating midfield battle; both got plenty of the ball yet failed to bust the game open.

Toby Greene, one of numerous players from both sides to spray shots out on the full, was unable to spark the GIANTS.

Greene did however put in an early nomination for mark of the year in the first quarter that resulted in the game's opening goal as he climbed above Dougal Howard to snatch a screamer.

Ruckman Matt Flynn excelled on debut for the GIANTS, helping himself to 34 hitouts and 18 disposals.

Flynn sent a scare through the GIANTS' camp when he limped off in the third quarter, but he quickly returned to the fray.

Coniglio makes his mark

GIANTA captain Stephen Coniglio (24 touches, one goal) has taken his first steps on the road to redemption after a much-publicised miserable 2020 season. He set the tone early, in his 150th game, picking up 10 kicks in the first quarter and being prepared to throw the ball on his boot to gain territory in wet and slippery conditions. The 27-year-old noticeably brought more effort too, and his forward pressure early in the third term saw the ball spill free to Himmelberg who carried it closer to goal before giving it back to his skipper to snap truly from 20m. Coniglio will no doubt be more concerned with the result, but there were positive signs for him personally.

Air Toby takes to the sky

Toby Greene is known for being able to do things on a footy field that few others can. But on a day when most players were still coming to terms with the wet conditions and slippery ball, it was still a surprise to see the star forward rise up to get a sit on Dougal Howard and claim a contender for Mark of the Year. He went back to kick truly for the first goal of the match, 17 minutes into the contest.

GIANTS     2.3       4.5       8.9       11.12 (78)
ST KILDA   1.2       5.6       9.6       13.8 (86)

GOALS
GIANTS: Himmelberg 3, Greene, Green, Hill, Coniglio, Ward, Taranto, Hopper, Keeffe
St Kilda: Membrey 3, Higgins 2, Lonie 2, Ross 2, Billings, Hill, Battle, Butler

BEST
GIANTS: Taranto, Perryman, Coniglio, Flynn
St Kilda: Membrey, Billings, Clark, Gresham

INJURIES
GIANTS: Nil
St Kilda: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
GIANTS: O'Halloran (unused)
St Kilda: Wood (unused)