Saints cruise past Giants to stay in AFLW finals hunt

St Kilda have eased to a 34-point win over GWS to snap a three-game losing run and remain firmly in the AFLW finals mix.

Three unanswered first-quarter goals set the tone for an impressive 7.7 (49) to 2.3 (15) victory at Frankston’s Kinetic Stadium on Tuesday night.

In the process, Nick Dal Santo’s St Kilda (4-3, 16 points), moved up to seventh on the ladder, while effectively ending the Giants’ season.

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).

Once again, GWS were left to rue dominating early play without converting.

Star St Kilda midfielder Jamie 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.

Young gun Tyanna Smith (17 disposals, one goal) was excellent.

Gun Giants midfielder Alyce Parker (29 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 10 clearances) was prolific, skipper Bec Beeson (24 disposals) continued her fine form, while youngster Kaitlyn Shroj and veteran Alicia Eva (two goals) took their moments.

Lambert brilliantly teed up 50-gamer Darcy Guttridge for the opening goal.

Wardlaw added a second before young gun Smith brilliantly goaled on the run to set the Saints up.

St Kilda didn’t let up in the second term, slamming on another three goals as GWS, goalless and trailing by 37 at halftime, failed to deal with their intense pressure.

The Giants finally got on the board early in the second half, with Eva crumbing a big marking contest – then snapping her second goal barely a minute later.

But they couldn’t go on with it, and the home side still led by 27 at three-quarter time.

Wardlaw shut the door when she converted her third goal late in the final term.

GWS’ Annise Bradfield was carried off distraught as the game finished.

The Saints next face Melbourne at RSEA Park on Sunday.

Things don’t get any easier for the Giants, who return to NSW to host powerhouse Adelaide.