The Greater Western Sydney Giants have continued their losing streak after being beaten by a well drilled, pressure driven Brisbane Lions team who scored a shock 20 point win at Giants Stadium on Sunday. The Lions were hard at the contest for the majority of the game and applied extreme pressure to nearly every single Giants play. Brisbane harassed, chased and forced the Giants into uncharacteristic errors and cashed in on the majority of their goal scoring opportunities. It truly was a superb team effort by the Lions. For the Giants there are serious questions now being asked about their premiership credentials with the majority of opinion across the footballing landscape as being in the negative. It has been a stunning fall from grace during the past month for the boys from Tom Wills Oval in Homebush.

Great example of the Lions pressure Jacob Hopper surrounded by maroon jerseys. Photo:Jodie Newell

From the very first minutes of the match Brisbane asserted their authority on the game. Speedster Charlie Cameron booted a goal in the opening seconds and would boot the last goal for the term.  Lincoln McCarthy who was providing plenty of trouble for the Giants defenders, kicked a goal soon after Cameron and would go on to boot two more later in the game and be one of Brisbane’s best players. The only bright spot offensively for the Giants was the work of Harry Himmelburg who never stopped trying and presented himself time after time in the contest. He did well to keep his side in the game by kicking 4 goals.

You stay here. Stefan Martin (front) dominated the ruck for Brisbane. Photo: Jodie Newell

In the back half, key GWS defenders Heath Shaw and Phil Davis made some pretty ordinary mistakes and turnovers which proved costly with Brisbane cashing in on gifted opportunities. The Lions were able to score goals freely, whilst the Giants struggled to gain any traction. Every time the Giants kicked a goal, Brisbane would answer back with another. Giants midfielders who were expected to perform, simply didn’t show up. Tim Taranto was barely noticeable whilst the silky skills of Josh Kelly were curtailed due to a calf injury. (It’s been reported that Kelly will miss the next 3 weeks of football)

Holding the ball? Josh Kelly pleads for a GWS free. Photo: Jodie Newell

Whilst the numbers looked promising, they didn’t illustrate just how in control the Lions were of this game. The 1% plays, the bumps, tackles, chases, pressure, presence in the contest were what put the Giants off their game. The fabled “Orange Tsunami” was made to look more like a stagnant duck pond, as Brisbane shut down any sense of run and carry football from the GWS. The disposal count had the Giants at 388, the Lions 347, the tackle count even at 80, contested possessions in favour of the Giants 160 to 135. Despite those numbers, it wasn’t a great effort from GWS who are badly out of form, listless and lacking any hunger for victory. The final term saw Brisbane lock down and slow-up the game, winning by a convincing 20 point margin. Lachie Neale, Hugh McCluggage and Mitch Robinson were amongst the pick of the Lions players, but it wouldn’t be unreasonable to name every player fro the Lions. A classic team effort.

Thanks guys. Chris Fagan has a genuine love for his players. Photo: Jodie Newell

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan was delighted with his players post match “They’re a close group, they work hard. They’re a humble group as well and yeah, I got to say I’m pretty proud of them tonight. It’s a very hard ground to come to and win”.

“I’m pretty proud of them tonight” Lions coach Chris Fagan. Photo: Jodie Newell

Giants coach Leon Cameron acknowledged the club was going through a difficult period  “We’re out of form clearly, We’re not going to deny that but what we have got to do is continue to try to work hard during the week to find that form back”.

“We’re out of form” Stating the obvious GWS coach Leon Cameron. Photo: Jodie Newell

Tough times remain for the Giants 5th, (9 wins, 6 losses) as they venture to their nemesis of the Melbourne Cricket Ground next Sunday afternoon to play a resurgent Richmond 6th (9 wins, 6 losses) . Brisbane 4th, (10 wins, 5 losses) don’t get any favours either heading to South Australia to face an in-form Port Adelaide 7th (8 wins, 7 losses) next Sunday afternoon.

GWS GIANTS  1.2       5.5       8.6       11.8 (74)
BRISBANE       4.4       8.7       12.10   14.10 (94)

GOALS
GWS Giants: Himmelberg 4, Greene 3, J.Cameron 2, Finlayson, Williams
Brisbane: McCarthy 3, C.Cameron 2, Berry, Rayner, Lyons, Bailey, Neale, Christensen, Hipwood, McCluggage, McStay

BEST
GWS Giants: Himmelberg, Coniglio, Hopper, Williams
Brisbane: Neale, McCluggage, McCarthy, Martin, Cameron

INJURIES
GWS Giants: Kelly (calf), Coniglio (knee), Langdon (ankle) (Kelly diagnosed with a calf strain, Giants reporting Kelly to miss at least 3 weeks)
Brisbane: Hipwood (ankle)

Reports: –

Umpires: Dean Margetts, Ray “Razor” Chamberlain, Brent Wallace

Official crowd: 12,268 at Giants Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush, New South Wales, Australia