Spotless Stadium, Homebush, Sydney Australia

There are the West Coast Eagles, the Western Bulldogs and the Greater Western Sydney Giants currently playing in the Australian Football League. Not only by name, but the Giants truly are the “greater” of all the three teams as it stands in season 2016.

Nothing was more evident than the 25 point win over fellow top eight side and class opposition in the Western Bulldogs. Whilst it was a fantastic win against the reigning premiers in Hawthorn in round 6 earlier this year, Sunday’s win was all the more convincing considering the GWS Giants lost two key defenders during the first quarter of game in Tim Mohr (hamstring) and Matt Buntine (concussion). The ramifications meant the Giants boys had to cover for the injuries against the Bulldogs who are notoriously quick and require close checking to negate their speed. The Giants were superb in that department, with all hands on deck putting in one of the best, hard working efforts you’d wish to see from an AFL side. There will be plenty of sore players come Monday morning after their effort of Sunday.

Another hard working GWS Giant in Tom Scully against a tough Bulldog outfit. Photo: Jodie Newell

The Giants couldn’t have started the game any better when from a centre bounce clearance, gun forward in Jeremy Cameron marked and posted a goal within 40 seconds. It would be the first of three goals he would kick during the first quarter as Greater Western Sydney took a firm hold of the game. To the Western Bulldogs credit they were able to get on the scoreboard with Lachie Hunter kicking the team’s first goal, whilst Lin Jong was able to post two goals for the quarter. Jong may be spending a couple of weeks out of the game after he heavily clashed with Matt Buntine during the first quarter. He was reported for “forceful front-on contact”. Buntine played no further part in the game after the incident due to concussion.

Lin Jong was reported after a heavy clash with Giants defender Matt Buntine during the first quarter. Photo: Jodie Newell

The game was living up to its pre-game billing with both sides playing fast, exciting and entertaining football. Jake Stringer was the first to goal in the second quarter and put the Bulldogs in the lead with a slim one point margin however that lead would quickly evaporate after a deluge of Giants goals. The Giants slammed on 5 goals within 9 minutes of scintillating football. Dylan Shiel kicked a superb goal on the run via a tight angle on the boundary line kicking to the city end. Jeremy Cameron booted his fourth goal, whilst Rhys Palmer, Tom Scully and Toby Greene joined the goal scoring party. Again the Western Bulldogs were able to get themselves back into the game with a booming, outside the 50 metre arc goal by Tom Campbell and Mitch Wallis goaling as well. The half time break saw the Giants take a 17 point lead into the sheds.

Callan Ward (middle) was in fine form against his old side. Cal racked up 30 disposals. Photo: Jodie Newell

The discussion during the half-time break was whether or not the Giants would run out of legs due to their loss of two players. But thanks to the efforts of many players, GWS were able to maintain scoreboard and and on-ball pressure. Stevie Johnson is proving to be the selection pick of the season. He booted two valuable goals in the 3rd quarter. One was a typical snap in impossible circumstances and the crowd roared their approval.I don’t care what the pundits say, Geelong coach Chris Scott quietly must be having second thoughts on the release of Johnson, as he has booted a goal a game for the Giants, something the Cats could do with at the moment. If the Giants are to make the finals and if Johnson remains healthy, his experience and ability around the goals could be the difference in winning or losing for the GWS.

All in a day’s work for Steve J who booted 2 key goals for the GWS. Photo: Jodie Newell

In defense for the Giants, Heath Shaw was easily best on ground. Not only did he marshal the defensive zone, but he began many attacking drives, with his accurate usage of the ball. Shaw gained 38 disposals for the game. Special mention must also go to Jonathon Patton who was moved to the backline to cover for Buntine and Mohr. He repelled many a Bulldog attack. He took some good marks and made several spoils including a touched kick that was initially given as a goal to the Western Bulldogs, but was reversed after review. In the midfield Stephen Coniglio was also brilliant. He gained 32 disposals and booted a goal. He was ably supported by Dylan Shiel, Tom Scully, Toby Greene and Zac Williams. It really was a fine team effort by the Giants, with every player chipping in and helping to cover the loss of two players.

Luke Dahlhaus (with ball) worked hard for the Dogs. He had 28 disposals for the game. Photo: Jodie Newell

It was a disappointing result for the Western Bulldogs who were unable to capitalize on the early loss of the two Giants players. They kept pace most of the time, but were unable to control the speed and movement of the GWS midfield. They also didn’t kick straight which in any game of footy is imperative. They finished with 23 scoring shots equal with the Giants, but 13 of those shots were behinds. Yes, they did miss key players in Matthew Boyd and Jack Redpath but that was no excuse. They were simply outplayed by a very good football team. The Western Bulldogs will bounce back and will definitely be playing finals football come September. They and the GWS Giants are the future of AFL football. They both play a fast and exciting brand of entertaining, well coached football.

A great example of the pressure the Giants exerted on the Bulldogs. Photo: Jodie Newell

So that’s an important win for the Greater Western Sydney Giants who are beginning a tough month of football. The Giants face Adelaide (Away), Geelong (Away) then a home blockbuster against Sydney. Next Saturday night, the Giants play the Adelaide Crows at the Adelaide Oval, who in our honest opinion are the “tease” team of the competition. We’ll see just how good the Crows are coming up against the GWS Giants who will relish the open spaces of the Adelaide Oval. Whilst the Giants lost two players over the weekend, skipper Phil Davis is very close to returning, whilst Adam Tomlinson and Jack Steele have a very strong case for inclusion after sensational showings in their NEAFL game against Brisbane yesterday. The Western Bulldogs will surely welcome back Matthew Boyd and Jack Redpath after they have served one-match suspensions for the game against an in-form Collingwood next Sunday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Greater Western Sydney Giants (7-2) are currently 3rd on the AFL ladder, whilst the Western Bulldogs (6-3) sit at 5th place.

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY  4.3   9.5   13.7  15. 8 (98)
WESTERN BULLDOGS              3.4   6.6   7.9   10.13 (73)

GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Cameron 5, Greene 3, Johnson 2, Coniglio, Shiel, Whitfield, Palmer, Scully
Western Bulldogs: Jong 2, Dickson 2, McLean 2, Wallis, Hunter, Stringer, Campbell

BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Shaw, Coniglio, Cameron
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Dahlhaus, Picken

INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Buntine (concussion), Mohr (hamstring), Haynes (concussion)
Western Bulldogs: Nil

Reports: Lin Jong (Bulldogs) for forceful front-on contact on Matt Buntine (Giants) in the first quarter.

Umpires: Matt Stevic, Chris Kamolins, Simon Meredith

Official crowd: 9,612 at Spotless stadium