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GREATER Western Sydney forwards Cora Staunton and Rebecca Privitelli have powered the Giants to a 20-point victory over St Kilda in torrential rain at Moorabbin.
The Giants adapted to the wet conditions better, booting four goals to none in a match-winning first quarter to run out 7.3 (45) to 3.7 (25) winners on Saturday.
SAINTS v GIANTS Full match coverage and stats
Veteran Staunton, who turns 40 this year, and Privitelli were the game changers with three goals each.
The Saints worked their way back into the game during the second quarter, but were scoreless after half-time until the dying seconds when Caitlin Greiser slotted a major on the siren.
They trailed by less than a goal late in the third quarter before GWS extended the lead back out to 20 points at the final break.
Only one point was kicked to the southern end of the ground for three quarters until Staunton broke Saints hearts with the first and only major of the final term.
The result was GWS' third win of the season, while the Saints slump to a 2-5 record.
"Any win's a good win. On a tough day like this it's probably more satisfying," Giants coach Alan McConnell said.
"I was really pleased we got back into rhythm after halftime, albeit the game just became a game of inches."
Georgia Patrikios was St Kilda's best with 27 possessions and 10 tackles, while Alice Burke, daughter of Saints legend Nathan, showed some promising signs in her second appearance at the top level.
"It was a lost opportunity and they taught us a lesson on how to compete and how to support each other," Saints coach Peta Searle said.
"You give four goals up like that to marks in the first quarter is pretty disappointing."
ST KILDA 0.1 2.7 2.7 3.7 (25)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 4.0 4.0 6.3 7.3 (45)
GOALS
St Kilda: Shierlaw, Guttridge, Greiser
Greater Western Sydney: Privitelli 3, Staunton 3, Smith
BEST
St Kilda: Patrikios, Phillips, Burke, Shierlaw, Smith
Greater Western Sydney: Parker, Privitelli, Beeson, Dal Pos, Staunton
INJURIES
St Kilda: Dillon (suspected fractured pharynx)
Greater Western Sydney: Nil
Reports: Nil
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