Season 2019 has started disastrously for the Essendon Bombers as the Greater Western Sydney Giants pummeled their opposition into the ground with a commanding 72 point victory at Giants Stadium on Sunday. The game was played in classic Sydney late summer humidity which appeared to have sapped the Essendon team who struggled throughout the day to gain any kind of momentum. It was a heartening opening round performance by the Giants after a disappointing finals ending in 2018. Coupled with the loss of key players in Dylan Shiel, Tom Scully and Rory Lobb many thought the Giants wouldn’t be as spectacular without those names. The exact opposite occurred with the GWS playing an exciting brand of running football, solid pressure in the defensive zones and consistent scoreboard pressure

Former Giant Dylan Shiel had an indifferent return to Western Sydney but was one of the few standouts for Essendon. For the Giants, Stephen Coniglio was outstanding. In his usual non assuming self, Coniglio picked up 31 disposals, 7 tackles and three goals. It was one of his best games for the club, his presence around the contest and the constant pressure he applied was one of the key reasons why the Giants won so convincingly.

Essendon did have their chances earlier in the game. The won the early clearance count 13-4 but were unable to capitalize and missed critical goal scoring opportunities posting only 4 behinds for the first quarter. Greater Western Sydney managed 3 goals in the first term and increased their lead by 33 points at the main break. Lachie Keeffe played an unexpected cameo booting 3 goals for the day. Usually in a defensive role, Keefe was moved forward after copping a nasty knock to his legs. His day looked over, however he returned with strapping and slotted home 3 goals in his best game for the club so far.

In the ruck Dawson Simpson made a welcome return to the field after experiencing a very disappointing end to season 2018. Dawson missed out on the finals campaign though injury. On Sunday he relished his opportunity, He matched a tough opponent in Tom Bell Chambers, but he was also quick to give support to his teammates around the ground, applauding the one percenters, or back slapping a mate after a solid contested ball. It was another pleasing aspect of the Giants win.

The Giants completely closed out Essendon in the second half. The Bombers definitely struggled with the energy sapping, humid conditions which didn’t drop below 28˚ for the majority of the game. Tim Taranto, Jeremy Cameron and Daniel Lloyd kicked 8 goals amongst each other and made the most of their opportunities either from set shots or from crumbing the pack. For Essendon skipper Dyson Heppell, Dylan Shiel and Tom Bell-Chambers worked hard on pretty awful day for the Dons.

Post game Essendon coach John Worsfold was measured in his response, but clearly wasn’t happy with his team’s effort “You don’t expect to step out like that in round one and be so far off the mark against the opposition, so we’re very disappointed”.

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY             3.2    7.8    10.13  16.16 (112)
ESSENDON     0.4    2.5    3.8 5.10 (40)

GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Cameron 4, Keeffe 3, Coniglio 3, Lloyd 2, Taranto 2, Himmelberg, Greene
Essendon: Langford 2, Baguley, Francis, Stringer

BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Coniglio, Taranto, Cameron, Simpson,
Essendon: Heppell, Shiel, Bell-Chambers, Smith

Umpires: Dean Margetts, Leigh Fisher, Andrew Mitchell

Official crowd: 15,424 at Giants Stadium, Homebush,Sydney Australia