Add Category
Coach Nick Dal Santo is not daring to dream of AFLW finals after St Kilda snapped a three-game losing streak with a 34-point win over GWS.
Three unanswered first-quarter goals set the tone for an impressive 7.7 (49) to 2.3 (15) victory at Frankston Park on Tuesday night.
St Kilda moved up to seventh on the ladder, with four wins and three losses, ahead of hosting Melbourne on Sunday, while effectively ending the Giants' season.
Despite moving into the top eight, Dal Santo said the thought of finals footy had not entered his mind.
"We're in no position — and I don't think we ever have been — to be speaking about finals or where we currently sit," he said.
"We're really clear on areas that we need to focus on, we're really clear on things we're doing relatively well then trying to replicate that in five days' time.
"So no, we haven't spoken about finals."
GWS (1-1-5, six points) sit 16th amid a six-game winless run and are 12 points outside the top eight with four games left.
The Giants suffered a blow before the game when Tarni Evans (lower leg) was a late withdrawal, joining the rested Izzy Huntington (knee soreness).
Star St Kilda midfielder Jaimee Lambert (27 disposals, 22 contested possessions, eight clearances, 11 tackles) was superb while Jesse Wardlaw (seven marks) kicked three goals and was unbeatable in the air.
Lambert had treatment on her shoulder after a big tackle in the third term but played out the game and Dal Santo expected her to be fit.
Giants midfielder Alyce Parker (29 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 10 clearances) was prolific while skipper Bec Beeson (24 disposals) continued her fine form.
St Kilda nailed the first three majors of the game to set themselves up, including a stunning running goal to Tyanna Smith.
St Kilda did not let up in the second term, slamming on another three goals as GWS failed to deal with their intense pressure.
GWS finally got on the board early in the second half, with Alicia Eva kicking two goals, but the home side still led by 27 at three-quarter time.
Loading...Wardlaw shut the door when she converted her third goal.
"First half went wrong," GWS coach Cam Bernasconi said.
"What I'm really proud of with this group is we're sticking to what we're trying to do, we're continuing to learn.
"We've got a young group and there's moments and parts of our game that are going really well but unfortunately when it's not gone our way we leak goals and that was the story of our season and tonight."
GWS's Annise Bradfield was carried off late in the game, distraught.
Bernasconi was confident she avoided a knee injury but there were concerns over her fibula. Bradfield is set to have scans.
Things do not get any easier for the Giants, who return to NSW to host powerhouse Adelaide.
AAP