{"id":382,"date":"2015-06-21T04:21:46","date_gmt":"2015-06-21T04:21:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/newellmediagroup.com\/wp\/?p=382"},"modified":"2015-06-23T12:21:30","modified_gmt":"2015-06-23T12:21:30","slug":"morale-motivation-must-remain-strong-for-gws-2015-finals-dreams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newellmediagroup.com\/wp\/?p=382","title":{"rendered":"Morale & motivation must remain strong for GWS 2015 finals dreams"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sydney Showgrounds, Homebush, Sydney Australia<\/strong>
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

After a horror week of serious injuries to the Greater Western Sydney Giants playing roster, the mood pregame was one of uncertainty, nervousness and resignation that the 2015 season may well end on a sorry note.<\/p>\n

Senior administrators, the media, coaches and AFL pundits have all said it will be a struggle for the club to finish in the final eight after such a promising record breaking start to the season.<\/p>\n

Coach Leon Cameron started the game on the bench, obviously as a sign of concern for the morale of his playing group who have had a tough week.<\/p>\n

As the game unfolded it was clear the GWS had ran into an in-form North Melbourne side who never looked like being threatened by the under-strength team despite some determined resistance in the 3rd quarter.<\/p>\n

Newcomers in Caleb Marchbank (9 disposals, 5 marks), Jack Steele (9 disposals, 10 tackles) and replacement ruckman <\/span>Rory Lobb (9 disposals, 4 marks & 10 hit-outs)<\/span> showed some promising signs.<\/p>\n

\"Jeremy

Jeremy Cameron (right) & Todd Goldstein fight hard for the Sherrin<\/p><\/div>\n

Certainly Kangaroos ruckman Todd Goldstein was the dominant tall racking<\/span> up an AFL record of 80 hit outs, yet Lobb did show some presence and will be better for the experience as he accumulates more game time.<\/p>\n

\"In

In a lonely place, Rory Lobb has the weight of expectation as he takes on the role of primary GWS ruckman<\/p><\/div>\n

The return of Rhys Palmer gave the Giants some added firepower up forward where he booted 3 handy goals and gained 17 possessions. The newly configured back-line tried as best they could against a very talented Kangaroos forward line in\u00a0Jarrad Waite<\/span>,\u00a0Drew Petrie<\/span> and Brent Harvey<\/span>. It wasn’t all doom and gloom at the back for the GWS. Heath Shaw, Matt Buntine<\/span>, Nick Haynes <\/span>and Callan Ward all helped to try and stem the tide as best they could with only a week’s preparation.<\/p>\n

\"North<\/a>

North Melbourne took full advantage of the newly configured & undermanned Giants defense<\/p><\/div>\n

Surely Curtly Hampton is due for inclusion after Josh Kelly put in a disappointing game. Kelly needs to become a little more physical in his football as at times he is all too easily pushed aside by his opponent during a contested play.<\/p>\n

North were able to score at ease and at several times it looked like the game would be an absolute blowout, but to the Giants credit they fought hard for their team to get back into the game.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Caleb Marchbank didn’t show any signs of pre-game nerves during the warm-up<\/p><\/div>\n

Cam McCarthy<\/span> kept presenting and harassing the North defense, whilst Jeremy Cameron<\/span>, tried to make an impact, as did Devon Smith<\/span> who with a bit more accuracy could be anything goal-scoring wise. Accuracy is one of the key problems the Giants are currently experiencing and it is letting them down. Had they kicked straighter, this game could have taken on an entirely different form.<\/p>\n