The AFL 2025 season is heating up, and Round 5 brings us the highly anticipated Gather Round, a festival of football where all 18 clubs descend upon South Australia for a thrilling weekend of action. Kicking off on Thursday, April 10, 2025, this unique round showcases the best of the Australian Football League in a condensed, electrifying format. One of the standout clashes of the weekend is the Sunday afternoon showdown between St Kilda and the Greater Western Sydney (GWS) Giants, set to take place at Norwood Oval on April 13, 2025, at 2:50 PM ACST. With both teams looking to make a statement in this early stage of the season, this match promises to be a captivating battle of grit, skill, and strategy.

Gather Round has quickly become a fan favorite since its inception, offering a carnival-like atmosphere where supporters can immerse themselves in footy fever across multiple venues in Adelaide and its surrounds. For St Kilda and GWS, this encounter is more than just another game—it’s an opportunity to solidify their credentials in a season that’s already shaping up to be fiercely competitive. As the Saints and Giants prepare to lock horns, let’s dive into what makes this matchup so intriguing, from team form and key players to tactical battles and historical context.

St Kilda’s Season So Far

St Kilda enters Round 5 with a mix of optimism and urgency. Under the guidance of coach Ross Lyon, the Saints have shown flashes of brilliance in the opening rounds of 2025, but consistency remains their Achilles’ heel. Known for their disciplined defensive structures and ability to grind out wins, St Kilda has leaned heavily on their midfield engine room to set the tone. Jack Steele, the Saints’ skipper, continues to lead by example with his relentless work rate and contested ball-winning ability. His performance in the guts will be crucial against a GWS side renowned for its midfield depth.

Up forward, Max King remains the focal point of St Kilda’s attack. The towering key forward has the potential to turn games on their head with his marking prowess and goal-kicking accuracy, though he’ll need support from the likes of Tim Membrey and the emerging Cooper Sharman to stretch the Giants’ defense. Defensively, the Saints have been bolstered by the return of key backmen like Callum Wilkie, whose intercept marking and composure under pressure have been vital.

The Saints’ early season form has likely been a mixed bag—perhaps a couple of wins against mid-tier opponents, tempered by narrow losses to top-eight hopefuls. Gather Round offers a chance to reset and build momentum, especially with three games in South Australia in the first five weeks, including this clash. Playing at Norwood Oval, a venue they’ve visited before during Gather Round, could give them a slight edge in familiarity.

GWS Giants: The Orange Tsunami

The GWS Giants, meanwhile, arrive in Adelaide riding a wave of confidence. After a strong 2024 campaign that saw them cement their status as finals contenders, the Giants have carried that momentum into 2025. Led by coach Adam Kingsley, the “Orange Tsunami” has been a force to be reckoned with, blending a high-octane running game with a potent forward line. Their Round 4 victory over West Coast at ENGIE Stadium—highlighted by Jesse Hogan’s nine-goal haul—sent a message to the competition that they’re serious premiership threats.

The Giants’ midfield is their engine room, powered by the likes of Tom Green, Josh Kelly, and Stephen Coniglio (pending his fitness for this game). Green, in particular, has emerged as one of the AFL’s elite ball-winners, combining brute strength with damaging outside run. His matchup against Steele promises to be a highlight, as both players thrive in the contested situations that often define tight contests. Up forward, Hogan’s red-hot form makes him a nightmare for opposition defenders, while Toby Bedford and Brent Daniels add speed and creativity to the mix.

Defensively, Sam Taylor remains the rock at the back, though his availability for this game could be in doubt after a head knock in 2024’s Round 5 clash against St Kilda. If he’s fit, his battle with Max King will be one to watch; if not, the Giants will rely on Lachie Keeffe and Connor Idun to hold the fort. GWS’s ability to transition quickly from defense to attack has been a hallmark of their play this season, and they’ll look to exploit St Kilda’s occasionally sluggish ball movement.

Historical Context and Last Encounter

When these two sides met in Round 5 of 2024 at Manuka Oval, it was a thriller that went down to the wire. The Giants prevailed by a single point, 11.14 (80) to 12.7 (79), after St Kilda mounted a ferocious late comeback with six consecutive goals. Stephen Coniglio’s two third-quarter majors proved decisive, while Jack Sinclair’s stoppage work nearly snatched victory for the Saints. The game was marred by injuries—Sam Taylor was knocked out early, and Max King suffered a late knee scare—but both teams showed their resilience.

That narrow defeat still stings for St Kilda, and they’ll be out for redemption in this Gather Round rematch. For GWS, it’s a chance to assert their dominance over a side they’ve had the wood over in recent years, including a 2023 elimination final win. The stakes may not be as high as a finals clash, but the psychological edge up for grabs adds extra spice to this encounter.

Tactical Breakdown

This game could hinge on the midfield battle. St Kilda will aim to slow the tempo and turn the contest into a slog, using their physicality to disrupt GWS’s free-flowing style. Lyon’s game plan often revolves around winning the territory battle and locking the ball in their forward half, so expect the Saints to press high and force turnovers. If they can neutralize Green and Kelly early, they’ll limit the Giants’ ability to launch quick counterattacks.

Conversely, GWS will look to stretch St Kilda’s defense with their pace and precision. Kingsley’s men thrive when they get the ball into space, allowing their runners to carve through opposition lines. Hogan’s presence gives them a reliable target inside 50, but they’ll need to be wary of Wilkie’s intercepting ability. The Giants’ backline, whether led by Taylor or not, will need to stay disciplined against King, who can exploit one-on-one matchups.

Key Players to Watch

Prediction

This one’s too close to call with certainty, but the Giants’ current form gives them a slight edge. If Hogan continues his scoring spree and the midfield fires, GWS could win by 15 points in a high-scoring affair. However, don’t count out St Kilda—if they bring their trademark pressure and King gets loose, they could steal it by a goal in a nail-biter. Either way, Gather Round fans are in for a treat.