The Greater Western Sydney Giants have defeated a determined Essendon side by 16 points on Saturday. The victory gave the GWS Giants outright first place on the Australian Football League ladder, a feat never achieved in the club’s short history. They are a game clear of the Adelaide Crows and Geelong. It is a remarkable achievement for a club who only a couple of seasons ago were the whipping boys of the competition and rare victories were celebrated as if they’d won a premiership. Today the GWS Giants win games they are expected to and are deservedly the current competition leaders. More kudos to them considering they have several big name players out through injury. When it was expected they’d struggle to fill the vacancies, instead they have turned that notion on it’s head and are pulling off convincing wins.
Top of the Charts. The GWS boys in full song knowing they are first on the AFL ladder. Photo: Jodie Newell
Nowhere was it more evident on Saturday as the Giants defeated Essendon in a very entertaining game. The Bombers didn’t take a backward step and could have nearly won the game had it not been for some inaccurate kicking and the inability to contain the GWS midfield when it mattered in the closing minutes.
Newcomer, Harrison Himmelburg takes a strong mark under pressure. He’s taken full use of his opportunity and is playing good football. Photo: Jodie Newell
Giant’s coach Leon Cameron would have been happy with his team’s early minutes as in prior weeks the Giants have been slow starters and have allowed sides to gain the advantage. That was looking pretty fine with Tim Taranto, Tom Scully, and Zac Williams posting early goals. Yet John Worsfold and his Bomber coaching staff made some quick tactical adjustments which paid immediate dividends.They were getting plenty of the ball inside their 50 metre forward zone and capitalizing with vital goals.
Mid term goals to Josh Green, Orazio Fantasia and Joe Daniher saw the Dons go into the first quarter huddle with a convincing 2 goal lead.
Dyson Heppell was part of the reason why the Bombers were leading at the first break. Photo: Jodie Newell
The Giants would retain their advantage in what would be the game winning section of the match, by booting 7 goals to two, leaving Essendon to constantly play catch up football for the remainder of the contest. The quarter’s scoring trend was soon established when Zac Williams kicked his second, as did Tom Scully (who booted two in this quarter) then Toby Greene chipped in with a double. Josh Kelly was superb around the packs. He was evasive under pressure, applied important tackles and he kicked a goal. Lachie Whitfield also chimed in to the seven goal effort that left Essendon in a hole at the major break by some 16 points.
Matt De Boer (with ball) continues to make an important contribution to the GWS team. Photo: Jodie Newell
The second half remained entertaining. with both teams kicking answering goals. For Essendon, Josh Green ended up booting 3 goals, with his teammate in Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti taking some good marks and kicking two goals in the dying minutes to give the GWS Giants some serious concerns that the game wasn’t over just yet. The game was eventually sealed by Zac Williams who kicked a superb goal on the run and then minutes later Matthew Kennedy sealed the deal with another goal. Tom Bellchambers scored a very late consolation goal, but the Giants went out winners by 16 points.
Josh Kelly laying on one of his 10 tackles as part of a best on ground performance. Photo: Jodie Newell
GWS Giants midfielder Josh Kelly was clearly outstanding. It was easily his best game for the Giants. He gained 38 disposals, kicked one goal and made 10 tackles. With much media speculation about where the young Giant may be headed next season, his game did little to dent any large contractual sums that are currently being discussed in footy pundit circles. For the coaches, both seemed pleased with their side’s effort. GWS coach Leon Cameron said it was nice to be on top, but it didn’t really matter in the scheme of things in that his side still needed to improve.He was pleased in how his side stood up to the challenge of a six-day break after a long flight and win in Perth last week and how they were able to run the game out against a very competitive and well versed side in Essendon. Bombers coach John Worsfold, said they simply weren’t good enough, but he was of the belief that the Dons were heading in the right direction.
Giants coach pleased to be on top, but more satisfied with effort against Dons after a 6 day break after Perth trip.Photo: Jodie Newell
Bombers coach John Worsfold feels his team is on the right track. Photo: Jodie Newell
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 3.3 10.5 15.5 18.9 (117)
ESSENDON 5.3 7.7 10.10 15.11 (101)
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Scully 3, Greene 3, Williams 3, Taranto, Whitfield, Kelly, Shiel, Lloyd, de Boer, Cameron, Kennedy, Perryman
Essendon: Green 3, McDonald-Tipungwuti 2, Hooker 2, Fantasia 2, Bellchambers 2, Colyer, McKenna, Daniher, Myers
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Kelly, Williams, Davis
Essendon: Hurley, Watson, Bellchambers, Merrett
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: –
Essendon: –
Reports: No Reports
Umpires: Chris Donlon, Leigh Fisher, Robert O’Gorman, Shane McInerney
VERDICT: It has to be said, well at least with AFL matches held in New South Wales this season, that the umpiring has been really, really proficient. There hasn’t been a game where I have felt it was a poor decision that affected the outcome of the game or it ended a team’s chances. The umps deserve praise for their efforts up here in Sydney. The 4th umpire concept was hardly noticeable, why the AFL doesn’t implement it for the whole season I have no idea, but it’s a great. And again well done to the folks in lime!!!!!
Official crowd: 13,671 at Sydney Showgrounds (Spotless Stadium)
