Spotless Stadium, Homebush, Sydney Australia
Call it an aberration, a shocker, a missed opportunity, mediocre. Call it what you will, the Greater Western Sydney Giants were simply outplayed and outmuscled by a hungrier Collingwood Football Club on Saturday. The Magpies were fierce in the contest, they had a tall forward line that finally delivered what it’s original purpose was designed for and a super sharp midfield led by some former old boys of the GWS Giants.
Stunned. Collingwood took control of the game after the 1st quarter. Photo: Jodie Newell
The Giants began well and held a 24 point break at the first half and it looked like business as usual. There was nothing to suggest they were about to implode. They were impressive in their ball movement with the typical fast run and carry up the spine. Jeremy Cameron and Jonathon Patton were in great touch and both had goals on the board during the first quarter. Steve Johnson and Rory Lobb also kicked goals and the Giants had seven at the end of the quarter and a handy 24 point lead. The only positive for Collingwood was the tackle count that was in their favour (22-12) which suggested that at least they were in the contest in applying some kind of pressure to the GWS Giants. For Collingwood the bizarre thing from them was that it was the most points conceded for the 2016 season and when they do allow 22 points or more in the first quarter, they are always beaten. Going by that stat, the Pies looked doomed. That was about to change in the following 3 quarters of football.
Former GWS Giant Adam Treloar (middle) had a day out against his side with 27 disposals. Photo: Jodie Newell
The Magpies began the second quarter well with the enigmatic tall forward in Jesse White kicking the first goal, followed by former GWS Giant in Taylor Adams. Jesse White would add another and Collingwood were back in the game. The Giants responded to the challenge via goals from Steve Johnson and Rory Lobb and appeared to have the game under control. Collingwood would continue their pressure in the contest and were forcing the GWS Giants into errors. The Pies would cash in on those errors and have multiple goalkickers including Alex Fasolo and Jarryd Blair who both booted two goals for the term. Collingwood had kicked 9 goals to the GWS 2 and held a 3 goal lead at the main break.
Scott Pendlebury was workmanlike in his game for Collingwood with 26 disposals and 6 tackles. Photo: Jodie Newell
The question at the start of the second half for the Greater Western Sydney Giants was would they be able to come back and take on Collingwood. The stakes were extremely high for the GWS considering the log-jam at the top of the ladder and a 2nd place slot on offer. That answer was in the negative as the Magpies continued where they left off in the first half.Ben Sinclair kicked the Pies first goal, followed by Jesse White and it was very clear the GWS Giants were in serious trouble. They looked flat, they didnt handle the ball at all well, especially in the midfield and were being put under enormous pressure by Collingwood. Pies skipper Scott Pendlebury was his typical self, with 26 disposals, but more importantly laid 6 tackles for the match. He was assisted by the tough, nuggety midfielder in Taylor Adams who had 31 disposals and 3 tackles.
The big men fly. Photo: Jodie Newell
Another player who made an impact on the game was the much maligned Travis Cloke. Cloke has been the source of constant speculation as to where does he fit in with the Collingwood game plan, particularly up forward.It was vintage Cloke as he booted 4 goals for the game, took 12 solid marks and out-bodied and out muscled the Giants defenders who had no answers to the gloved forward.Finally the talls up forward for the Magpies were working as a cohesive unit. Whilst Darcy Moore didnt kick a goal, he was a focal point up forward, taking 9 marks and added potency around the packs.
GWS Giants forward Jonathon Patton kicked 3 goals against the Pies. Photo: Jodie Newell
GWS ruckman Shane Mumford ran hard all day and tried to counter the assault laid on by Collingwood, but he received little help around the ground. Stephen Coniglio (30 disposals, 4 tackles) would be the only player in the midfield who could honestly hold his head high on an otherwise very ordinary day for the GWS Giants. Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy was brilliant around the ground and matched it well against Mumford, (both players had 28 hit outs). Grundy had 26 disposals, 3 tackles and kicked a goal and was one of the Magpies best on ground performers. It was a remarkable performance from the Collingwood side especially considering where they were playing and who they were playing. To come from 24 points down also emphasized the incredible victory. One wonders just where was this form earlier on in the season?
Greater Western Sydney coach Leon Cameron when asked post game, was the result an aberration he replied by saying “Time will tell”. An obviously delighted Collingwood coach in Nathan Buckley was well pleased with the effort of the Magpies “It was a really positive performance, it was the type of footy we’d like to play”. The loss is a significant one for the GWS Giants (10-5) who have dramatically dropped to 7th place. The Giants face the lowly 17th placed Brisbane Lions (1-14) next Sunday evening at the Gabba. Collingwood are currently 11th on the AFL ladder (7-8), they have won their last 3 games. They face the 3rd placed Adelaide (11-4) away next Saturday night at the Adelaide Oval.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 7.2 9.4 11.7 14.9 (93)
COLLINGWOOD 3.2 12.4 18.7 19.11 (125)
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Cameron 5, Patton 3, Kelly 2, Ward, Shiel, Lobb, Johnson
Collingwood: Cloke 4, White 3, Blair 2, Fasolo 2, Varcoe, Aish, Adams, Smith, Macaffer, Sinclair, Sidebottom, Grundy
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Shane Mumford, Stephen Coniglio, Jeremy Cameron
Collingwood: Adam Treloar, Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Haynes (soreness), Williams (soreness)
Collingwood: Fasolo (shoulder)
Reports: –
Umpires: Nick Foot, Leigh Fisher, Matt Stevic
VERDICT: The field umpires were rather perplexing in their decisions particularly in the 2nd half of the game and paid against the Giants. Matt Stevic can at the best of times, rile many a footy fan with his confusing rulings. He had plenty support from Nick Foot, who some could argue had his foot in his mouth or should that be whistle? not a good game from the normally invisible UIL’s (Umps in limes!)
Official crowd: 13,483 at Sydney Showgrounds, Homebush, Spotless Stadium.
AFL MULTICULTURAL ROUND: It was a nice touch to see various cultures on display at the game including Chinese, Irish, Polynesian and Indian themed performances. The dancing groups gave a colourful spectacle. There were Chinese dragons, a Polynesian Haka salute and Irish river dancers. It was all happening at the Sydney Showgrounds precinct. Special mention must go to the Indian Bollywood dancers who put on an outstanding energetic performance before the opening bounce.
Irish dancers perform as part of the festivities of the AFL Multicultural Round. Photo Jodie Newell
