St Kilda beat GWS by 12 points to get back into the race for the top four, thanks to a strong four-goal performance from returning full-forward Max King.
Earlier, Collingwood regained their one-game buffer at the top of the ladder with a 28-point win over Carlton at the MCG, and the Hawks ran up a 100-plus point margin against the Eagles in Launceston to earn their second win of the season.
Spearhead King sparkled in his first match of the season as St Kilda held off a brave GWS to snatch the points in an enthralling clash at Giants Stadium.
King was superb on return from a shoulder reconstruction and a hamstring injury to finish with four goals as the Saints secured a 13.14 (92) to 12.8 (80) victory on Sunday.
With King back as the Saints' focal point their small forwards Jack Higgins (three goals), Dan Butler and Jade Gresham (both two) were also able to run free in a close contest in which the lead changed hands 13 times.
Jack Sinclair (game-high 37 disposals, two goals), Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (29) and Bradley Hill (20) were influential in the free-flowing contest, while first-year Saint Liam Stocker (24) was another to impress.
The hard-fought victory entrenches the Saints (7-3) in the top eight, while the Giants (3-7) will rue a missed opportunity after they held the greatest margin of the tense tussle when leading by 13 points in the opening term.
The Giants' key forward Jesse Hogan was a threat in the air throughout and slotted two majors but was off target with a set shot in the dying stages that would have reduced the margin to less than a goal.
Giants skipper Toby Greene also had two goals on his return from a stint on the sidelines, while Brent Daniels also lit up the forward half with 23 disposals and two goals.
Former co-captains Stephen Coniglio (26 disposals, one goal) and Josh Kelly (24, one) also led the way for the Giants, while Tom Green (29 touches) battled hard around the stoppages.
The match was put on hold for more than five minutes when Saints young gun Mitch Owens sustained an accidental knee to the head and had to be helped from the field in the second term.
Owens was jolted forward in a marking contest, collided with teammate Anthony Caminiti's knee, and had to be replaced by substitute Ben Paton but watched the second half from the bench.
The Giants led by four points at the first change and the scores were level at the main break after the lead had changed hands eight times in an even opening half.
The tight contest continued through the third term as the lead changed three more times, as the Saints took a three-point advantage into the last quarter before holding on late in the game.
The Saints face Hawthorn on Saturday, while the Giants head to Geelong to take on the reigning premiers later the same day.
Magpies take their chances and Blues rue misses at MCG
AFL premiership favourites Collingwood have made another strong statement and turned up the heat on Carlton with a 28-point win over their traditional rivals.
Chasing a circuit-breaker after four losses in five weeks, the Blues were outclassed in Sunday's fiery contest at the MCG.
Magpies captain Darcy Moore starred in defence as his side's spread of contributors and superior pressure told the story in a 13.7 (87) to 7.15 (57) triumph.
Collingwood (9-1) comfortably secured a sixth straight victory that kept them a game clear of their nearest rivals on top of the ladder, while compounding the pressure on Carlton (4-1-5).
Brownlow Medal fancy Nick Daicos had 27 disposals under close attention at stages from Matthew Cotterill and Ed Curnow.
But Daicos will come under scrutiny for a blow to Blake Acres' stomach, which will likely attract a financial sanction.
Moore had a game-high 17 intercept possessions and off-season recruit Tom Mitchell completed plenty of grunt work, finishing with 26 disposals, 15 contested possessions and eight clearances.
Jordan De Goey (27 disposals, 13 contested possessions, five clearances) and Scott Pendlebury (21 touches, eight tackles) were also important, while Brody Mihocek (four) was the game's leading goal-kicker.
Charlie Curnow kicked three for the Blues and looked dangerous throughout, registering a game-high eight score involvements, while Harry McKay had two majors from his eight disposals.
Fittingly in Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round, it was Ash Johnson and Bobby Hill who had Collingwood fans in the 80,354-strong crowd off their seats in the first half.
Hill snared the first goal of the match and celebrated with an Indigenous dance before scorching the turf to set up another major for Mihocek.
The speedster took three bounces down the wing and expertly sold the dummy to Adam Saad, then hit his teammate with a lace-out pass as the Magpies took a 35-point lead to half-time.
Johnson kicked two first-half goals; the second after launching himself onto the shoulders of Marc Pittonet and Mason Cox to pull down a spectacular mark.
Pies star Daicos and inexperienced Blues pair Oliver Hollands and Jordan Boyd all tested their respective coaches' patience, gifting their opposition goals through 50-metre penalties.
Carlton increased their physicality and showed fight in the third quarter, narrowly outscoring the Magpies in that term.
They had a dozen scoring shots to five in the second half but couldn't get closer than 28 points.
Adam Cerra (33 disposals, three clearances), Sam Docherty (34, five) and Sam Walsh (29, four) worked hard against the tide for the Blues.
Number one ruckman Darcy Cameron was a late inclusion for Collingwood and had nine touches on return from a knee injury.
Johnson was substituted out for Jack Ginnivan during the final term after both players had been in doubt during the week because of illness.
Hawks thumping win leaves Eagles bottom of the ladder
West Coast are on track to claim the AFL wooden spoon after suffering a 116-point thrashing at the hands of fellow strugglers Hawthorn in Launceston.
The injury-hit Eagles didn't score a goal in the second half on Sunday afternoon in the battle of the bottom two teams, as the Hawks ran riot with Mitch Lewis kicking a career-high six goals.
The 22.10 (142) to 4.2 (26) result leaves the Eagles at the foot of the ladder with just one win for the season and a percentage of 55, after Hawthorn piled on 11 unanswered second half goals for their second victory of the season.
Luke Bruest kicked three for the match, while Josh Weddle, Cam Mackenzie, Jacob Koschitzke and Tyler Brockman got doubles and five others notched a goal.
It was West Coast's lowest score against Hawthorn and their heaviest loss of the season, surpassing a 108-point defeat at the hands of Carlton in round seven.
It was the first time the Hawks had scored more than 20 goals since 2016.
West Coast suffered a further injury blow when Jamaine Jones was forced from the field in the second quarter with a lower left leg problem.
The club was already missing Tom Barrass, Jack Darling, Nic Naitanui, Luke Shuey, Elliot Yeo, Jamie Cripps, Liam Ryan, Shannon Hurn, Jeremy McGovern and Tom Cole.
West Coast, who won the flag in 2018, are shortening with bookmakers to claim the second wooden spoon in the club's history.
Hawthorn set the tone early, opening a 43-12 lead at the first break on the back of winning the inside 50s 19-5.
James Sicily and Conor Nash (both 30 possessions) were heavily involved for the Hawks.
Hawthorn, who have jumped North Melbourne into 16th spot, could have some headaches ahead of meeting St Kilda next round with Sam Frost on report for striking.
Ruckman Nat Reeves was subbed out in the third quarter with an ankle problem.
Dom Sheed was tireless in a losing side, picking up two goals and an equal game-high 30 disposals.
Ladder
ABC/AAP
