The Greater Western Sydney Giants will play in consecutive preliminary finals after they crushed the West Coast Eagles by 67 points at the Sydney Showgrounds on Saturday night. It was a superb return to form performance by the GWS with Steve Johnson booting 6 goals. The Eagles had no answers to a relentless Giants midfield, as they farewelled veterans in Drew Petrie, Sam Mitchell and Matt Priddis. The win sets up an enticing preliminary final against sentimental favorites the Richmond Tigers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The game is expected sell-out, with the majority of 90,000plus fans to be pro Richmond. If the Giants are to win and procede to their debut grand final, it will the biggest achievement in the club’s short 6 year playing history.
Three legends of the game said goodbye in Sam Mitchell (left), Matt Priddis & Drew Petrie Photo: Jodie Newell
It was a pretty even start from both sides. Dylan Shiel posted the first goal of the game when he snapped truly at the Parramatta end. For West Coast, Luke Shuey who was last week’s hero after kicking a goal after the siren against Port Adelaide was getting plenty of touches around the contest. The Eagles were using the ball better when the entered their forward 5o area. Nathan Vardy and Josh Kennedy posted two quick goals and held a slender 3 point lead. The Giants were bombing the ball up high into their forward area which made the Eagles defenders task a little easier to clear. To illustrate this point West Coast defender Jeremy McGovern made 7 inside 50 rebound clearances, he was ably assisted by skipper Shannon Hurn who had 23 touches and an 82.6% disposal efficiency.
Dynamic West Coast Eagles midfielder Luke Shuey under pressure from Lachie Whifield Photo: Jodie Newell
The Giants needed to deliver the ball better. The adjusted and began posting scoreboard pressure. Stephen Coniglio was creating a lot of opportunities in the Giants midfield.The tough Giant fought hard for the ball in the contest and quickly amassed a high number of tackles (7 for the match). He finished with 33 disposals, but more importunately his disposal efficiency was a high 88.6%. On the back of Coniglio’s work the Giants booted 4 goals. At the first break the GWS Giants led by 16 points.
Stephen Coniglio put in a best on ground performance against the Eagles. Photo: Jodie Newell
In the second quarter the Giants began to exert their dominance on the game and began to shut down the Eagles. The Giants defense were miserly allowing only one West Caost goal for the term. Aidan Corr measured up well against the Eagles goal scoring ace in Josh Kennedy. Corr kept Kennedy to only one goal and it was superb effort. Fellow Giants defenders in Phil Davis, Nick Haynes, Heath Shaw and Adam Tomlinson went quietly, but methodically about their business and gave West Coast little opportunities to score.
A great example of how tight the Giants defense looked. Corr marks over Kennedy. Photo: Jodie Newell
Up forward Toby Greene kicked two and looked threatening around the packs, he had a real physicality about his game. There was no malice in the intent for the ball just a will to play fairly and hard at the contest and it was an impressive effort from Toby. All of the Giants players were forcing the Eagles players into turnovers and mistakes. Their tackling pressure was superior and their spectacular run and carry was on display. The Giants entered the half-time sheds 35 points ahead.
“The Running Man” Tom Scully was at his tough best on Saturday. Photo: Jodie Newell
The final last quarters were completely dominated by the Greater Western Sydney Giants. It was during this period that Steve Johnson slammed on 6 goals. It was a stunning return by the veteran who was keen to silence his critics. It also illustrated just how vital finals experience is, Johnson played like it was just your average home and away game, as he toyed with the Eagles defense. West Coast again struggled to kick goals and only booted 1 for the 3rd term, thanks to Luke Shuey who never gave up despite the score. The Giants continued just as they had in previous quarter and shut out the Eagles winning the game by 67 points.
A wink is as good as a nod. Toby Greene inside the GWS sheds post-game. Photo: Jodie Newell
It was an excellent effort by the Greater Western Sydney Giants considering their poor effort against Adelaide last week. They now face Richmond at a packed MCG with a massive, parochial Tigers crowd who will baying for Giant blood. The Giants will have to bring their absolute A-game if they are to defeat the Tigers. Their form isn’t encouraging at the MCG having played 11 games for only 1 win. If the Giants are able to get their running game on, the wide expanse of the ‘G should suit the Giants. If they do win then it’s on to an even bigger game in the AFL Grand Final the first in the club’s history.
Back in Town! The GWS Boys are going to the MCG to play for a Grand Final spot. Photo: Jodie Newell
Giants coach Leon Cameron noted the degree of difficultly with regards to beating a fervent Richmond team at the MCG next Saturday “It’s exciting for our footy club and I know how big the Tiger army can become. It’s great for footy, but as soon as that ball bounces, it doesn’t matter if there’s 85,000 Richmond supporters or 10 or 15 Giants supporters. The result will be determined by who has the best 22 players on the day”
GWS coach Leon Cameron is under no illusions the game against the Tigers is going to be tough. Photo: Jodie Newell
Up next:
The 2017 AFL season is over for the West Cost Eagles (13 wins, 10 losses). It was a very credible finish considering they were without key ruckman in Nic Naitanui via a nasty knee injury. The Eagles lose key midfielders in Sam Mitchell and Brownlow Medalist Matt Pridis via retirement. Joinng them will be Drew Petrie who was extremely serviceable for the Eagles. During the trade period, they will be looking for suitable replacements. Overall they gave a great sight during the finals and their overtime win over Port Adelaide was sensational .
The Greater Western Sydney Giants head down to the MCG to play Richmond for a spot in the AFL Grand Final. The game is a sell-out with tickets being snapped up in just under 15 minutes. It will be a remarkable achievement if the Giants can beat the Tigers who will have a massive advantage in crowd support. The success starved Richmond faithful will be making an almighty roar at every goal and win in the field.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 5.4 9.7 15.10 19.11 (125)
WEST COAST 3.0 4.2 5.2 9.4 (58)
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Johnson 6, Greene 3, Patton 2, Shiel, Scully, Taranto, Ward, de Boer, Himmelberg, Deledio, Coniglio
West Coast: LeCras 2, Mitchell 2, Vardy, Kennedy, Shuey, Petrie, Darling
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Coniglio, Corr, Johnson
West Coast: Shuey, Hurn, McGovern
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: –
West Coast: –
Reports: No Reports
Umpires: Matt Stevic, Justin Schmitt, Shaun Ryan
Official attendance: 14,865 at the Sydney Showgrounds (Spotless Stadium)
