Giants survive HUGE scare in Saints thriller... but star hospitalised ...

The Giants have held off a fast-finishing St Kilda to win by a point, 11.14 (80) to 12.7 (79), in a Canberra thriller amid injury carnage.

That included a trio of potential serious setbacks to Sam Taylor (concussion), Max King and Stephen Coniglio (both knee) as both clubs could be left counting the cost of the day.

St Kilda kicked the last six goals of the game – and had a chance to win it with one last charge inside 50 – before James Peatling cut it off with a brilliant game-saving intercept mark.

With it, the Giants remain undefeated on the season at 5-0, while the Saints fell 2-3.

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The 3-2-1 (what we learned) ...

3. TAYLOR HOSPITALISED AMID INJURY CARNAGE

It started with a sickening collision involving Sam Taylor that caused the star defender to be sent to hospital with concussion.

And there were two more injury blows to Max King and Stephen Coniglio (both knee) in a day of carnage in Canberra.

Taylor was left in a bad way after colliding with Jack Steele in the first quarter, stretchered off the ground before being taken to hospital for further testing.

In a positive update, Giants footy boss Jason McCartney said Taylor eventually came conscious and was “in the very best hands” at Canberra Hospital.

Later, King landed awkwardly on his knee in a marking contest just before three-quarter time. After being assessed in the rooms, St Kilda confirmed the star forward’s day was over.

Then, in what appeared to potentially be the biggest concern of the day, Stephen Coniglo’s leg bucked in the wrong direction in a tackle in the fourth term as he was left floored for some time.

Coniglio was eventually helped from the ground by medicos on either side of him in worrying scenes for the Giants, with Brownlow medallist Gerard Healy pondering if it was the “biggest story of the day.”

In a potential sigh of relief though, GWS said it thinks Coniglio has avoided a dreaded ACL injury.

“This has turned into a really bad day for both clubs,” St Kilda champion Nick Dal Santo told Fox Footy.

Fox Footy commentator Kelli Underwood added: “From that very first sickening head clash, it’s almost taken the wind to of the game. It’s like someone’s popped a balloon.”

2. GIANTS SURVIVE HUGE LATE SCARE

And ... breathe Giants fans!

GWS survived some sort of late scare in Saturday’s contest including an epic six-goal blitz from Ross Lyon’s team to end the game to nearly run over the top at the death.

Just one point separated these sides on the final siren in a seriously commendable comeback from the Saints.

James Peatling was GWS’ clutch hero, taking a courageous intercept mark in defence inside the last 30 seconds, which, was even more impressive considering the injury toll of the day.

“It was almost highway robbery and almost the great steal! They survive a giant scare in the nation’s capital,” Fox Footy caller Kelli Underwood exclaimed on the final siren.

After what was initially a sew-sawing contest, the Giants began their surge with four-straight goals to end the third term as they looked like running away with it.

With GWS leading by as much as 34 points midway through the fourth term in a game that was all but over, the Saints responded seemingly out of nowhere to set up a thrilling finish.

No matter how it did it, Adam Kingsley’s side still banked the all-important four points to remain undefeated on the season at 5-0 in first place on the ladder.

1. ‘WHERE DO THEY GET BEST VALUE?’ CHAMP’S QUERY ON SAINTS YOUNG GUN

We saw a bit of everything from Mitch Owens, particularly in an eventful second quarter ... but are the Saints getting maximum value out of the young gun?

The talented forward kicked two goals in the third period, but also had a horror moment where he turned the ball over deep in defence leading to a Jesse Hogan goal.

Splitting his time between forward with stints in the ruck, Tigers champion Jack Riewoldt questioned whether the 20-year old was being best utilised.

Riewoldt suggested that Max King might be better served as the backup ruck, particularly in games like Saturday when he struggles to get involved up forward – held goalless with four touches before a knee injury ended his day.

“(Owens is) clearly an elite player above his head and plays taller than he is at 192cm,” Riewoldt said on Fox Footy.

“I think Mitch is searching a little bit for this as well as St Kilda – where do they play him to get the best value out of him?

“I don’t think that’s in the ruck. If I was St Kilda and Ross Lyon, I would put Max King as that second ruck.”

MATCH UPDATES

There were no late changes, with James Peatling (GWS) and Hugo Garcia (St Kilda) named the starting subs.

The Giants got off to a hot start, kicking the first two goals through Brent Daniels and Harvey Thomas as the Giant tsunami was in full flight.

In a sickening moment, Sam Taylor was subbed out of the game after coming away second best in a heavy collision with Jack Steele.

Taylor was in a bad way on the ground before treated to by doctors and medicos as play was stopped for some time. Thee star defender was eventually stretchered off the field and set to be taken to hospital for further monitoring.

“He’s not in a good way, without stating the obvious. He hasn’t moved as the medical staff still surround him. Our thoughts are with Sam and his family,” Fox Footy commentator Mark Howard said.

The Giants later said Taylor was conscious in a promising update.

As play recommenced, Stephen Coniglio made it three-straight goals for his side to continue its scintillating start.

Jack Higgins finally got one back for St Kilda with a crafty snap from the boundary line.

The Saints led 4.4 (28) to 1.3 (9) at quarter-time.

Giants footy boss Jason McCartney provided an update on Taylor during the first break.

“He’s gone to Canberra Hospital for further assessment. But he was conscious and speaking as he got in the ambulance,” McCartney told Fox Footy.

“Obviously it didn’t look great, but he’s a courageous kid. He’s in the very best hands now and he’ll be fine.”

The Saints showed an improved effort in the second term to get back in the game including two goals to Mitch Owens.

Owens’ second goal made up for a costly turnover he made in defence just before it hat led to a Jesse Hogan goal.

“The Saints have snuck themselves back into a competitive position,” Brownlow medallist Gerard Healy highlighted on Fox Footy.

Toby Greene steadied the ship for the Giants with an important goal – his second for the day – to push their lead back out to 19 points.f

GWS led 7.6 (48) to 4.5 (29) at half-time.

The Saints came out with renewed energy in the second half including quick goals to Jack Steele and Brad Hill to make it a seven-point game, changing the feel of the contest to give Ross Lyon’s side momentum.

That was until Aaron Cadman kicked a crucial steadier for the Giants.

Adam Kingsley’s side kept pushing, missing multiple opportunities until Josh Kelly finally put one through. Hogan added another to make it a 29-point Giants lead.

GWS took a 29-point lead into the last change, 10.10 (70) to 6.5 (41).

In a major injury concern for the Saints, Max King went to have his knee assessed in the rooms at three-quarter time after landing awkwardly during a contest just before the last change. It was soon confirmed King’s day was over.

Jake Riccardi kicked the opening goal of the fourth – marking four-straight Giants goals overall – to push their lead out to 35 points and near on shut the gate on St Kilda.

In perhaps the biggest injury concern of the day, Stephen Coniglio’s leg buckled in the wrong direction in a tackle as he had to be assisted from the ground by medicos.

St Kilda never stopped trying, kicking the next four goals including Darcy Wilson getting his side back within two goals as the Giants went into their shells.

It was remarkably game on, with Anthony Caminiti getting the Saints within six points after kicking a soccer goal from point-blank range.

The Saints had another chance to score but Lachie Ash stood up with a potential game-saving spoil.

St Kilda wasn’t done though, as Caminiti got on the end of a strong chain to kick a second goal – St Kilda’s sixth in a row –to remarkably make it a one-point game with 40 seconds remaining.

The Saints won the next clearance to have one last chance to win the game, but James Peatling took an enormous intercept mark to seal the win for the Giants in an epic finish.

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