'I got that wrong': Hogan struggles on AFL return

The Giants toyed with bringing him back through the VFL but gambled on the key forward having an immediate impact.

Instead, Hogan struggled against Jack Silvagni and kicked one goal, scored in the last quarter.

"It's a bit on him, a bit on us, we'll keep working on it. We're really confident in Jesse," Kingsley said.

"It (VFL) was a discussion, but we felt like, with his quality, he's one of these guys who are capable of turning it on.

"He didn't (on Sunday), so I got that wrong, but he'll be better for it."

Kingsley was not surprised Hogan struggled in his first game back.

"I don't think he had an impact on the game, which was kind of expected and understandable," the Giants coach said.

"He's missed a bit of footy - he's missed a month.

"It's hard to slot straight back in and have an impact, particularly (at) that size.

"You're going to be defended pretty much all the time. I don't know if we necessarily helped him a hell of a lot with some of our entries. But he'll be better next week."

Hogan has kicked 11 goals in eight games this season, after 46 in 16 last year.

While Hogan had his struggles on Sunday, fellow key forward Aaron Cadman again impressed with four goals.

Jake Stringer also performed a solid job despite attention from Saints' defensive general Callum Wilkie, kicking three goals.