The pressure was overwhelming for the young Greater Western Sydney side late in Saturday’s AFL round-two loss to St Kilda.
The Saints claimed victory 15.5 (95) to 13.10 (88) at Etihad Stadium to keep their winning record intact for 2014, although they were forced to battle hard all the way.
Coach Leon Cameron’s GWS side were unable to match their winning form of round one, when they upset Sydney.
St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt was best-afield with five goals, 24 possessions and 14 marks, earning praise from Cameron and Saints’ coach Alan Richardson.
Inexperienced ruckman Tom Hickey took a step forward with three goals and 20 hit-outs for the Saints, while David Armitage had a game-high 29 disposals and took a possible mark of the year in the first term with a high-leaping grab on his chest.
Small forward Devon Smith kicked five goals for the Giants and onballer Callan Ward and ruckman Shane Mumford, with 46 hit-outs and 18 possessions, were strong contributors.
The Giants were 20 points ahead at the 13-minute mark of the third term before the Saints responded with four goals in six minutes, including two to four-time All-Australian Riewoldt.
Five points clear at three-quarter time, the Saints outscored the Giants three goals to two in the final term to get home.
St Kilda’s 18-year-old small forward Eli Templeton kicked a vital goal with less than seven minutes remaining.
The Giants kept on attacking, but could not break through St Kilda’s defence.
Ruck/forward Jonathan Giles kicked four goals for the Giants on a day when 2013 All-Australian Jeremy Cameron and 2011 No.1 draft pick Jonathon Patton contributed one goal between them.
“They took their chances and we didn’t,” Cameron said.
“We talked after the game about just doing the fundamentals of the game really well, especially when you’re fatigued, under pressure.
“Our basic fundamentals of hitting a target, first-give hands, hitting up someone, that probably disappeared.
“Jonny Patton and Jeremy Cameron struggled a little bit to get into the game. But I didn’t think our ball movement was great at times.”
Cameron noted St Kilda’s accurate goalkicking, including Riewoldt’s 5.1.
“We just lacked a little bit of polish to finish off at times,” he said.
“They kicked four or five goals in seven or eight minutes.
“Today we learnt a lesson about staying in the game for longer.”
Richardson praised the character of his side for “hanging in there” against the improving Giants’ lineup.
“Riewoldt again today was amazing,” Richardson said.
“He has had 24 possessions and kicked five goals, but it was his pressure that we spoke about after the game.
“His ability to continue to get over and put pressure on the kickers, ‘Rooey’ played a big part there.”
