1. Red-hot Giant streak continues
It may have been a tight and, at times, scrappy match of footy, but the ‘orange wave’ continues to roll in. The Giants have now won seven of their last eight, have five wins from seven at Spotless, since round 11 are the equal-best team in the competition and have now marched their way into the top four, at least until Sunday. It’s been a turbulent ride for GWS fans this season, but with the Blues, Crows, Swans and Dees in front of them on the road to finals, could the wave threaten to burst into an ‘orange tsunami’ and set the competition awash?

TOP-FOUR GIANTS RISING Full match coverage and stats

2. Ex-Giant Steeles the limelight on Ward's big night
It was meant to be Callan Ward’s match. The first-ever Giant to notch 150 games, just the second-ever life member after Kevin Sheedy, and the first-ever playing life member of the club. An evening to remember was begging to be seized by the GWS co-captain, but it was a former teammate who managed to steal (or Steele?) the limelight. Ex-Giant Jack Steele kept Ward very quiet early on, limiting him to just 11 disposals by three-quarter time and 20 for the match, and otherwise taking some of the air out of Ward’s big occasion. It was the other way round, however, for former Saint Lenny Hayes. The now midfield coach for GWS saw his charges dominant in the second half of the match to power his new team home to victory.

3. St Kilda's accuracy costs it again
The Saints will be kicking themselves after a lack of precision robbed them of some important early momentum in the 25-point loss to GWS. Their set shot scoring accuracy is the lowest of any side in the AFL and well below the league average. After a first half where the Saints dominated the footy and the Giants conceded 40 inside 50s, a 3.10 score line for the visitors showed what could have been had St Kilda been a little more clinical in front of the sticks. Goalkicking coach Ben Dixon will be wondering how he can arrest this alarming funk.

4. Acres returns after long lay-off
St Kilda star Blake Acres didn’t necessarily set the world alight in his return to senior footy, but 18 disposals will have coach Alan Richardson hoping there are better things to come. In his first game back since round eight, after suffering groin soreness throughout the season, Acres was a constant threat in the midfield. Acres also finished with six marks, six tackles and four inside 50s.

5. Himmelberg hits new heights
GWS half-forward Harry Himmelberg showed what he was capable of producing against the Saints on Saturday night. In the absence of Giant spearheads Jeremy Cameron and Jonathon Patton, Himmelberg led from the front with four goals, a dominant presence and some marvellous marks. Whether he can keep his spot when Cameron returns next week, will be a headache coach Leon Cameron will be happy to have.