Spotless Stadium, (Sydney Showgrounds) Homebush, Sydney Australia.

The AFL football world continues to grow in it’s appreciation of the Greater Western Sydney Giants as season 2016 continues. Another win, another impressive effort from the GWS midfield,defense and forwards that left the much improved, competitive Carlton in it’s wake. The Giants quietly and efficiently defeated the Blues by 62 points and moved into the top four of the AFL table. For Carlton ,it was a reasonable effort for most of the game, but they were too inconsistent in maintaining pressure on their opponents. It was also a disappointing outcome for Bryce Gibbs who was celebrating his 200th AFL game.

50th AFL gamer Josh Kelly tackles Carlton’s Sam Kerridge  Photo: Jodie Newell

Despite the loss, Carlton have improved on many levels. Last year, they were beaten twice by the GWS Giants by a combined total of 159 points. Their last game at the Sydney Showgrounds, was a caning of 81 points and they never really looked like they were in the game. On Saturday afternoon, they were competitive and fought hard to keep up with a Giants side that is notoriously quick and efficient in it’s usage of the ball.

The key change for the Blues is the obvious. New head coach, Brendan Boulton has made a significant difference to the Carlton football club. They look to have a sense of purpose, good playing structures, a sense of team and are beginning to move the ball well. All of these elements were sadly lacking under the Michael Malthouse regime which dramatically fell apart last year. It was a “monolithic” culture that hampered the Blues last season. We observed Malthouse during Blues games against Sydney and the Giants and the body language and rhetoric suggested his way was the only way. There didn’t appear to be a sense of free flowing communication between the line coaches. Maybe the modern game wasn’t a good fit for Malthouse. Whatever the reasons, they are all history now. The current quality and professional coaching displayed by Boulton and his staff is first class.

Carton coach Brendon Bolton has rapidly improved his side’s competitive edge Photo: Jodie Newell

For the Greater Western Sydney Giants, they were super impressive. As mentioned their midfielders ran amok with clean possession and swift disposal that put Carlton’s defense under constant pressure. The GWS Giants also continued their solid finishes. In their past 4 games, they have managed to kick 4 goals or more in the final quarter something coach Leon Cameron would be happy with. Dylan Shiel continues his great season and is currently sitting in the top 15 of the AFL Player rankings. Shiel amassed 34 disposals on Saturday including 2 goals and 9 clearances. His season form will surely have been noticed by the Brownlow medal voting umpires and is a serious chance if he remains fit and continues to play well.

Dylan Shiel (crouching) is in hot form Currently sitting 15th in the AFL Player rankings Photo: Jodie Newell

Callan Ward, Stephen Coniglio, Tom Scully, Ryan Griffen and Zac Williams also gave a helping hand to Dylan Shiel. Steve Johnson capped off their hard work with a superb 4 goal effort. Jeremy Cameron also joined in the goal kicking fest with 3 of his own. Johnson keeps on delivering for the Giants and again, it makes you question how on earth did Geelong coach Chris Scott ever let this champion, unpredictable and enigmatic forward go? In the USA many teams in the NFL weigh up just how damaging a former team star can be competing against you for valuable competition points. Johnson fits this category big league. If the Giants make the finals and ironically they find themselves against a Geelong team, a level head is required to seal a finals win. Steve Johnson and his wealth of finals experience would send plenty of worries to any opposing coach. Johnson is jumping out of his skin to play football.He’s relishing the leadership role and in between times kicking handy goals. He has become a firm crowd favorite with the Giants fans. An expectant roar builds when he goes anywhere near the ball goal-side. Capable of anything, Johnson is the type of entertaining footballer that attracts a crowd. He is without a doubt the AFL recruit of the year thus far. He’s booted 28 goals in only 13 appearances, which is only two away from his total from last year of 30 goals from 20 games with Geelong. He’s also beaten his season’s best form from seasons 2012 (19 goals),2013 (23 goals),2014 (17 goals). Simply incredible.

A well earned rest. Stevie J (left) on the GWS Giants bench Photo: Jodie Newell

Carlton can thank forward Simon White who played a defensive type of game against Heath Shaw. Shaw has been a dynamo for the Giants this season.Many of the drives from the Giants backline start with the ball in Shaw’s hands. White closely tagged Shaw and shut down his usual running game. No doubt opposing clubs will be watching the tape of this game studiously in terms of finding away to lessen Shaw’s effectiveness.  Ed Curnow, Sam Kerridge and Sam Docherty also played well for the Blues. Forward Andrew Walker also contributed with 3 goals. Bryce Gibbs played a superb game considering it was his 200th match with 29 disposals and 9 tackles. His work rate around the contest could not be questioned.

Hey Ed, pass the ball to me! Carlton’s Sam Kerridge in action against the GWS Giants Photo: Jodie Newell

The Greater Western Sydney Giants would be pleased in the the way they again covered for two injured defenders in Phil Davis (calf) and Matt Buntine (hamstring).In May this year against the Western Bulldogs, the GWS Giants lost key defenders in Tim Mohr and Matt Buntine and were able to deal with the adversity and win the game. The Davis injury will see him miss 2-3 games.Whilst Buntine is also looking to a 3 week period away from the game, The only silver lining is the GWS Giants have a bye and will give those injured players a bonus week to recuperate.

Where is that ball? At the the contest GWS Giants v Carlton Photo: Jodie Newell

Josh Kelly also celebrated his 50th game. He has really improved in his foot and disposal skills. He had 22 disposals for the game including 2 goals. His disposal efficiency was a high 81.8%, illustrating the improvement in his game. Another special mention must go to Matt Kennedy who was playing only his second game.Last week he had a sensational debut for the Giants booting 3 incredible goals against Essendon. The likeable young man from the country comes with a superb nickname in “Bam Bam” and Beatle-like haircut to match. More importantly, this young fellow’s footballing prospects are very bright. The role assigned to him after Davis and Buntime went down was to back up in defense and he played a super cover game. The lad has plenty of strength and is not afraid to put is body into a solid contest.It was a completely different game to the one he played in the forward area last week and he handled himself extremely well.

GWS Giant Josh Kelly chases the ball alongside team mate Ryan Griffen Photo: Jodie Newell

For the GWS Giants they find themselves with a well deserved break after a tough month of football. 3 wins over Sydney (home), Essendon (road) and Carlton (home) with a loss to Geelong (road) is not a bad effort in a month of winter football. The GWS Giants (10-4) are currently situated 4th on the AFL table. Their next opponent is Collingwood on Saturday afternoon, July 9,2016 at the Sydney Showgrounds. Carlton (6-7) are placed 13th and return home and front up to their arch enemy in Collingwood at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday night.

Pre-game, AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan addressed a Greater Western Sydney corporate function via a question and answer format hosted by GWS Giants Community Liaison Officer Gavin Robertson. McLachlan played a straight bat with the majority of the questions asked. He expressed his delight in the GWS Giants success and diplomatically included Carlton in his reply, adding he was impressed with their improvement. McLachlan spoke in favour (if need be) of a GWS Giants final to be played at Spotless Stadium (Sydney Showgrounds) and was open to the possibility of seeing the match moved to neighboring Homebush (ANZ Stadium) if their opponents were cross town rivals the Sydney Swans and if it were a Giants “home” finals fixture due to the expected large crowd.

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan (left) talks with Gavin Robertson GWS Community Liaison Officer pre-game Photo: Jodie Newell

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 6.7 8.11 11.14 18.19 (127)
CARLTON 3.2 5.5 7.9 9.11 (65)

GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Johnson 4, Cameron 3, Shiel 2, Kelly 2, Williams, Patton, Whitfield, Scully, Coniglio, Lobb, Greene
Carlton: Walker 3,Wright 2, Simpson, Everitt, Tutt, White

BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Shiel,Johnson,Kelly
Carlton: Gibbs, Kerridge, Simpson

INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Phil Davis (calf) Buntine (Hamstring)
Carlton: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Chris Donlon, Mathew Nicholls, David Harris, Shane McInerney

Official crowd: 10,355 at Spotless Stadium (Sydney Showgrounds)