GWS Giants vs Sydney Swans: AFL live scores, blog
Roar Guru By The Cattery, 24 Mar 2012 The Cattery is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- AFL, GWS Giants, live blog, Sydney Swans
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Phil Davis of the GWS Giants (Slattery Images)
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Four years of planning comes to fruition tonight when the AFL’s newest club, GWS Giants, debuts in a standalone game against cross-town rivals the Sydney Swans to open the AFL 2012 season. Join us at 7.20pm AEST as we follow Australian sporting history in the making with live scores and commentary.
In reality, the vision for a second AFL team in Sydney goes back a long way.
Even in the years when the Swans were struggling to make a mark in Australia’s largest city, the AFL understood that the future prosperity of the game depended on a larger presence, and that inevitably meant a minimum of two teams.
It’s an audacious move by the AFL, one fraught with risk, but one that could equally help change the face of the game over the next 50 years.
When the AFL plans something, it’s thinking decades ahead.
But forget the future, this is the here and now, and for all the hype, the publicity, the planning, the controversy, it’s time for the 18th club to send 22 blokes out onto the paddock.
In over your head, a tough initiation, boys against men, thrown in the deep end: think of any sporting cliché that comes to mind, and it will not be exaggerating what the GWS boys are facing tonight.
And they are boys. Seventeen of them will be debuting in the AFL tonight, as many as debuted in 1991 in the Crows’ first ever game.
But there are massive differences between this Giants outfit and that Crows team, who were able to enter the competition with the best of the SANFL in what was almost a State of Origin team.
The Giants go into the game tonight with a long list of teenagers, up against one of the hardest teams in the AFL.
Some of these teenagers have impressed in the pre-season with their willingness to put their head over the ball. Watch out tonight for youngsters such as Dylan Shiel, Devon Smith and Stephen Coniglio.
Mid-sized forwards such as Jeremy Cameron and Curtly Hampton have shown a bit of class as well.
Phil Davis might be able to break even with Swans power forward Sam Reid, and Callan Ward might be able to do the same against Kieren Jack (both are Giants co-captains).
Even Coniglio could match it with Andrejs Everitt this early in his career, but from there, it falls away very rapidly for the Giants.
Across the lines, it’s teenagers up against hardened, experienced professionals, and despite the odd man-on-man win to the Giants, one can see the Swans getting away to an early lead and building on that as the game progresses.
By the time we make it to half time, a large chunk of the young Giants will be feeling battered and bruised: they’ll be wanting to see it through until the end, but their legs may struggle to carry them.
Sheeds has Tim Mohr on Adam Goodes, which looks like a match with only one possible victor. But who can play on Goodes? Could an ageing Chad Cornes stay with him?
To rub salt into the wounds, Harry Cunningham of Wagga, from inside the GWS zone but rejected by them, will make his debut for the Swans.
Unfortunately for the Giants, experienced players such as Luke Power, Dean Brogan, Setanta o’hAilpin and Tom Scully are out injured, while number one draft pick Jonathon Patton is getting over pre-season surgery.
Had they had all these players, the Giants would have stood a chance of getting within 10 goals of the Swans. Without them, well, we’re looking at a scoreline not to dissimilar to what the Suns endured in their first game last season.
It is an historic moment tonight, but Giants fans will need to ignore the scoreboard. Watch out for the glimmer of hope some of these teenagers will provide, and think longer term.
A giant step for the AFL, but tonight, it will be a matter of baby steps, cramps, bruised bodies and a massive reality check for the young Giants.
It’s an historic night for the AFL in Sydney. Will there be any surprises – of any magnitude? AFL 2012 kicks off tonight at 7.20pm AEDT this evening and we’ll have all the action from the first bounce. If you’re watching, give us your thoughts in the space below.
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The Crowd Says (177) | Page 1 of Comments
The Roar Live Blog: Latest comments displayed at the top of the page | Click here to jump to leave a comment
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10:42pm
BigAl said | 10:42pm | Report comment
I don’t understand !!
The season opener , an historic game and CH 7 use the LOUSIEST commentary team I have ever heard. !!!!!
What were CH 7 thinking ???????
10:08pm
mds1970 said | 10:08pm | Report comment
When the Swans kicked those five quick goals at the start of the third term,he floodgates could so easily have opened. But these Giants have fighting spirit and really fought it out to the end. We may not have won, but as I leave ANZ Stadium I’m a proud Giant tonight.
10:07pm
The Cattery said | 10:07pm | Report comment
It’s been an historic day for the AFL today.
Thanks for joining me, and I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend.
10:05pm
The Cattery said | 10:05pm | Report comment
63 pt win for the Swans, a lot better than we expected for the Giants, they worked so hard in that first half, were overrun well and truly in the 3rd and were pretty much spent by half way through the last, with so many teenagers in the team, they need another 1 or 2 preseasons to get that run in their legs, but the attack on the footy was pretty good all night long
9:59pm
The Cattery said | 9:59pm | Report comment
FT
GWS 5.7 (37) Swans 14.16 (100)
GWS coaching staff will be please with the first half where they applied good tackling pressure on the Swans and won a bit of contested footy, had a very good period mid 2nd quarter where some of the youngsters showed their class and potential.
But the warning signs were there late in the 2nd quarter, Mumford was giving his on -ballers first use, clean take aways and spotting up forwards in the 50 with better ball use, Reid took some grabs, Bolton and Kennedy won plenty of it, and no one could keep up with Jetta and his blistering pace.
For the Giants, Mohr, Cornes and Davis were very good down back, Ward and Coniglio were good around the middle, and Hampton showed some class but his kicking let him down around the goals.
Well done to the giants on debut.
10:02pm
Norm said | 10:02pm | Report comment
Good effort from Giants. Sure they surprised many who predicted 100 point blow-out. Gr8 to see Chad Cornes doing well. Excellent crowd. Will be interested in TV viewing figures, Cattery
10:06pm
The Cattery said | 10:06pm | Report comment
I’m sure someone will put them up first op!
9:55pm
The Cattery said | 9:55pm | Report comment
FT
GWS 5.7 (37) Swans 14.16 (100)
Palmer pinged for diving on the ball, its a swans free from just inside 50, it’s Bird with the kick, misses, and siren goes – it’s all over!
10:08pm
TomC said | 10:08pm | Report comment
Interesting symmetry between this game and the result of Swans-Suns last season:
36 to 106 that day.
11:51pm
The Cattery said | 11:51pm | Report comment
good pick up Tom
9:53pm
The Cattery said | 9:53pm | Report comment
28 min
GWS 5.7 Swans 14.15
Bolton runs straight at the footy, collects, dishes out and Cunningham has a shot and misses
9:51pm
The Cattery said | 9:51pm | Report comment
26 min
GWS 5.7 Swans 14.14
Goodes with a rare mark, misses from a long way out, which is sad for me because I think I made him my captain in SC!!
9:50pm
The Cattery said | 9:50pm | Report comment
25 min
GWS 5.7 Swans 14.13
I’m not sure who it was, I think it was Hannebery, he took the handball on 50m, was winding up for the shot, and Izzy came in from behind and nabbed him red hot mid kick, and absolutely put him on his tail bone, he would have felt that!
9:48pm
The Cattery said | 9:48pm | Report comment
24 min
GWS 5.7 Swans 14.13
Big tackle from Izzy then, caught someone red hot unawares, then followed the ball, clean hands, now a shot for goal from McDonald, gets it, well done Izzy!!
9:47pm
The Cattery said | 9:47pm | Report comment
23 min
GWS 4.7 Swans 14.13
Cornes with another strong mark in the goal square to save the day for the Giants, good game from Cornes tonight, both sets of players going through the motions now,
9:45pm
The Cattery said | 9:45pm | Report comment
22 min
GWS 4.7 Swans 14.13
Rohan wins the footy, one-two, shoots from 40m on run, misses
9:47pm
David Jones said | 9:47pm | Report comment
Has Izzy touched the ball in the second half?
9:49pm
Ian Whitchurch said | 9:49pm | Report comment
Good timing. Izzy just tackled Hannebery hard and fair, roved his own footy, and it ends up with a goal to McDonald.
Chad Cornes ran fifty meters to congratulate him.
Add not being destroyed as the backup ruckman, and Im very, very happy with his performance.
9:45pm
The Cattery said | 9:45pm | Report comment
21 min
GWS 4.7 Swans 14.12
BT says cramp setting in like a disease
9:44pm
The Cattery said | 9:44pm | Report comment
20 min
GWS 4.7 Swans 14.12
from throw in Giants FP, quick ball in, Izzy gets hands to it, but can’t hold it, rushed behind
9:42pm
The Cattery said | 9:42pm | Report comment
18 min
GWS 4.6 Swans 14.12
Ward earns the free for high, on wing, goes back to Cornes, Coniglio down with cramps, I’d expect most of his team mates are ready for the showers by now!
9:41pm
The Cattery said | 9:41pm | Report comment
16 min
GWS 4.6 Swans 14.12
McGlynn bursts through the middle, links with Everitt, he kicks from 50, misses,
and Rohand off the ground after the kcik out, and he hits the post!
9:39pm
The Cattery said | 9:39pm | Report comment
15 min
GWS 4.6 Swans 14.10
Giants has managed to keep the score sub 11 goals, they’ve done ok, but sting definitely out of the game,
9:38pm
The Cattery said | 9:38pm | Report comment
13 min
GWS 4.6 Swans 14.10
Goodes breaks clear, from angle on the run, puts it out on the full
Everitt in marking contest, brings it to ground, first to recover, soccers it – goals!
9:41pm
Ian Whitchurch said | 9:41pm | Report comment
Mohr has flat out beaten Goodes.
9:36pm
The Cattery said | 9:36pm | Report comment
10 min
GWS 4.6 Swans 13.10
Official attendance: 38,233
second highest ever crowd for a debut team
9:45pm
David Jones said | 9:45pm | Report comment
Not really a debut game – most of the fans are Swans fans – its their home game too!
I believe half of the tickets were given away for free to boost the numbers.
That’s a good crowd for Sydney though, even with the free tickets.
9:35pm
The Cattery said | 9:35pm | Report comment
10 min
GWS 4.6 Swans 13.10
Giles has floated into the hole, and gets the mark, will line up from around 40m, straight in front – straight as a die!! his first goal in AFL footy!!
9:34pm
The Cattery said | 9:34pm | Report comment
9 min
GWS 3.6 Swans 13.10
Giants with take away from throw in, and it’s DAvis on the lead, gives off to Hampton and he spots up Kennedy, good play by the Giants here, shot from around 45m, on angle, another behind, but at least Giants have spotted up players inside 50
9:32pm
The Cattery said | 9:32pm | Report comment
8 min
GWS 3.5 Swans 13.10
Giants force the rushed behind form the ball up, Giants take it down the wing, Palmer plays on, beats one, and spots up Townsend in the pocket, and it’s McDonald on the lead, he goes back to Smith, he’ll line up from 45m, bit of an angle, interesting decision by McDonald, misses it
9:30pm
The Cattery said | 9:30pm | Report comment
6 min
GWS 3.4 Swans 13.9
Swans win free on wing, illegal possession, good strong def mark from Cornes, but they get themsevels into trouble, Ward gets them out of it, Malceski will put it back into fwd 50, Rohan to Reid, snaps, it will be a ball up in the goal square
9:28pm
The Cattery said | 9:28pm | Report comment
5 min
GWS 3.4 Swans 13.9
Richards runs from HB, to Roberts-Thomson, snap from long way out, on the full
9:27pm
The Cattery said | 9:27pm | Report comment
3 min
GWS 3.4 Swans 13.9
Giants getting a bit of it these first few mintues, but it’s Bird with the mark and shot now from around 40m, sprays it
9:25pm
The Cattery said | 9:25pm | Report comment
1 min
GWS 3.4 Swans 13.8
Giants with first take away of the quarter, Hampton with quick possessions, transfer of play to Cornes, on HBF, he’s had a good game
9:20pm
The Cattery said | 9:20pm | Report comment
3/4T
GWS 3.4 (22) Swans 13.8 (86)
It’s Everitt with a good mark on the lead, 45m, siren goes – poster!
Well, I guess the inevitable happened, once the Swans broke the shackles that were able to bring the ball forward quickly, less hindered than the first half, they conjured more one on ones in fwd 50 and got the results on the board with 5 unanswered goals that quarter, could have been more too, the ball was up that end for pretty much the whole of that quarter
young Giants are spent, they’ll be doing really well to hang on here for a 11 goal loss.
9:17pm
The Cattery said | 9:17pm | Report comment
28 min
GWS 3.4 Swans 13.7
Swans doing some circle work now, the game is safe, ball into fwd 50, and now it’s CAmeron with a bit of a hanger in defence!
9:18pm
Ian Whitchurch said | 9:18pm | Report comment
Five goals to beat the point spread
Swans have kicked very accurately as well. Its been a good game of footy.
9:16pm
The Cattery said | 9:16pm | Report comment
26 min
GWS 3.4 Swans 13.7
the ball is now permanently inside the Swans 50, Giants defenders holding out grimly, but you’d have to think that they’d be completely spent now, Coniglio involved in clearing it again, he’s had a good debut
9:14pm
The Cattery said | 9:14pm | Report comment
25 min
GWS 3.4 Swans 13.7
sub for swans, Cunningham on, the boy from Wagga, only 18, won’t he love playing against the club that rejected him!!
9:13pm
The Cattery said | 9:13pm | Report comment
24 min
GWS 3.4 Swans 13.7
We’re using the vid technology for the first time, to see if it hit the post, it obviously did, Coniglio takes the mark from kcik out under pressure, but puts his team mate under pressure with the kick, Shiel back to Coniglio, rare forward foray for the giants, but pinged again for being over the ball
9:11pm
The Cattery said | 9:11pm | Report comment
22 min
GWS 3.4 Swans 13.6
Kennedy’s centering ball chopped off, but it’s a 50/50 between Jetta and Tomlinson, Hampton gets involved, Richards takes another defensive mark, 11 def marks between him and Grundy – gives GWS forwards zero chance!
9:17pm
Ian Whitchurch said | 9:17pm | Report comment
Cameron will be a pillar of strength for the club
9:10pm
The Cattery said | 9:10pm | Report comment
20 min
GWS 3.4 Swans 13.6
Steve Waugh being inteviewd by Kirky, wearing his Giants scarf, another swans goal is saved when rushed over
9:08pm
The Cattery said | 9:08pm | Report comment
19 min
GWS 3.4 Swans 13.5
Mumford outbodies Izzy to get clean tap out – has been a strength of the Swans today
9:07pm
The Cattery said | 9:07pm | Report comment
18 min
GWS 3.4 Swans 13.5
Swans with plenty of marks now, GWS get it out of def 50 with series of handballs, that looked good, but Coniglio caught, ball up,
Malceski gets it out, hand from Rohan, Hoskin-Elliott runs it out for GWS, out to outer wing
9:05pm
The Cattery said | 9:05pm | Report comment
17 min
GWS 3.4 Swans 13.5
Mohr runs back with flight of ball, takes good defensive mark to relieve, but it’s coming back again, Bolton – Reid on lead, only 20 m out, should be another swans goal – no – sprays it wildly!!
9:04pm
The Cattery said | 9:04pm | Report comment
15 min
GWS 3.4 Swans 13.4
Ward sharks it, spins out of trouble, relieving kick
Shiels knocks it out, little handball from Izzy, but Grundy takes his 6th mark in defence
9:03pm
The Cattery said | 9:03pm | Report comment
14 min
GWS 3.4 Swans 13.4
We’re out to a 10 goal lead now, swans have kicked last 7 goals, first 5 goals of this quarter, swns out of centre again, out over the line now outer side swans HFF
9:02pm
The Cattery said | 9:02pm | Report comment
13 min
GWS 3.4 Swans 13.4
Swans just pumping it into 50 now, almost at will, and Rohan with a very storng mark against Cornes, will line up from 50m, nice purchase, gets it!
9:01pm
The Cattery said | 9:01pm | Report comment
11 min
GWS 3.4 Swans 12.4
Jack again from the middle, but this time it’s a mark to GWS’ Kennedy in defence, Izzy with mark, finds McDonald, Kennedy gets it back, Mohr, Davis on outer side now, down the line, Hampton gives the free away
8:59pm
The Cattery said | 8:59pm | Report comment
10 min
GWS 3.4 Swans 12.4
Jack in the middle, Everitt with hands, Jetta wins the race, soccers it – goal!!
8:58pm
The Cattery said | 8:58pm | Report comment
8 min
GWS 3.4 Swans 11.4
Looks like Longmire sent a rocket up them, first 3 goals of the quarter, kicked last 5 of the game, it’s just a case of whether the young giants can keep up the effort and work rate for a full game, it’s a big ask, Giants with footy on wing, Wilson over the top, recovers well, but sprays it with the snap
8:59pm
Ian Whitchurch said | 8:59pm | Report comment
Class from Jetta
Gotta admire it
8:56pm
The Cattery said | 8:56pm | Report comment
6 min
GWS 3.4 Swans 11.4
Jetta lightning fast, won’t catch him, goals from 25m on run, very quick transfer of play then by swans
8:55pm
The Cattery said | 8:55pm | Report comment
5 min
GWS 3.4 Swans 10.4
Giants just can’t afford to give away those sorts of frees, it will blow out very quickly if they are going to give it away, Giants with free in middle, Hamption off the pack, onto left foot, behind, that woudl have been some goal
8:56pm
Ian Whitchurch said | 8:56pm | Report comment
Curtly Hampton will produce a lot of highlight reels over the year.
Swans look like they are pulling away.
8:53pm
The Cattery said | 8:53pm | Report comment
4 min
GWS 3.3 Swans 10.4
Cornes cops Kennedy high, head over the ball, free from 40m, bends furiously, and it’s through
8:52pm
The Cattery said | 8:52pm | Report comment
2 min
GWS 3.3 Swans 9.4
at this point, we start to think how handy Brogan, Power, Scully, etc would have been tonight
8:53pm
Ian Whitchurch said | 8:53pm | Report comment
We just got more games into kids
Carna Giants. Keep it tight
8:51pm
The Cattery said | 8:51pm | Report comment
1 min
GWS 3.3 Swans 9.4
Swans straight into attack – that’s one difference between the teams tonight, Swans have had clean take aways from the centre bounce
and McVeigh snaps for swans’ first goal of quarter
8:49pm
The Cattery said | 8:49pm | Report comment
They’re coming out for 2nd half.
One thing for sure, Sheeds had them up for this game tonight, unlike the Suns last season, who suffered stage fright from pretty much the start of the game.
Izzy hasn’t done a lot, but he’s been ok, probably better than Hunt last season in his first game
we’ve started
8:48pm
Ian Whitchurch said | 8:48pm | Report comment
“Sheeds has Tim Mohr on Adam Goodes, which looks like a match with only one possible victor. ”
At half time, Adam Goodes, 12 disposals 3 marks.
Tim Mohr, 9 disposals, 2 marks.
Only one possible victor, huh.
8:37pm
The Cattery said | 8:37pm | Report comment
General Patton being interviewed – he’s taller than Richo!!
8:38pm
Cameron said | 8:38pm | Report comment
Would the crowd be anywhere near the hoped for 40000?
8:44pm
The Cattery said | 8:44pm | Report comment
Not sure, it was closer to 30k minutes before the bounce, but it appeared to keep building, at least 35k, too hard to say whether it reached 40k.
8:30pm
The Cattery said | 8:30pm | Report comment
HT
GWS 3.3 Swans 8.4
Giants were very unlucky late that quarter, Townsend went in after it, got his head split open for his troubles and the umps pinned him for holding the footy, goal to Mumford
Swans eased to a 5 goal lead, but there was a good period in the middle of the quarter then, when the game appeared to be rapidly slipping, giants manufactured a couple of goals by winning the hard footy and dishing it out quickly, they’ve got a few speedsters, good to watch, but the inexperience has shown up often enough to make it relatively easy for the Swans to go into the second half with a handy lead, nevertheless, Giants have put in a huge effort so far, can they keep it up?
8:33pm
Norm said | 8:33pm | Report comment
Am really enjoying your commentary Cattery. Am stuck in Germany without Foxtel!
8:38pm
Ian Whitchurch said | 8:38pm | Report comment
Seriously, they will have scared quite a few coaching staffs with this half already. Lets take a team thats vulnerable to physical pressure like, say, Melbourne. GWS comes at them like this, and they will cough up a lot of ball … the Suns played a prettier, higher-skill game. The GWS’s game plan seems to be based around tackle and harass and flood and hope to make something on the counter-attack, with long bombs to big targets inh the forward line as plan B.
Its been a game of footy, and thats more than a lot of people expected. Carna Giants.
8:40pm
The Cattery said | 8:40pm | Report comment
In Germany??!! half your luck!!
8:47pm
Norm said | 8:47pm | Report comment
But missing the opening of the season
8:55pm
Titus said | 8:55pm | Report comment
Sheesh Norm, go check out a Bundesliga game, expand your horizons.
8:41pm
Andrew Leonard said | 8:41pm | Report comment
Concern has to be the full 120minutes for GWS but am getting excited when the Giants press forward.
8:47pm
The Cattery said | 8:47pm | Report comment
Yes, agreed, good 60 min, big ask to continue that for another 60 min.
8:27pm
The Cattery said | 8:27pm | Report comment
29 min
GWS 3.3 Swans 8.4
final minute of 2nd half, Giants probably just hanging on here, you’d reckon they are spent, they have given so much this first half in their debut game,
unfortunately Giants have given the free by diving over the top of it, it’s Mumford with the free from around 40m, Townsend dove straight in, copped the knee in the head, realy should have had the free, but it gives it to Mumford, splits the sticks, good kick
8:29pm
Ian Whitchurch said | 8:29pm | Report comment
GWS are better than feared. They are physical, they are tackling and harassing.
Im happy.
8:47pm
The Cattery said | 8:47pm | Report comment
Just read a tweet then from Eamonntheranga – that giants more physically advanced than suns were this time last year – I think that’s right
8:25pm
The Cattery said | 8:25pm | Report comment
29 min
GWS 3.3 Swans 7.4
strong play by Reid, wins it, dishes it off, but Cameron marks it last line of defence, Sheeds really throwing them around
8:26pm
Ian Whitchurch said | 8:26pm | Report comment
Shows its really Sheedy’s the coach then
8:24pm
The Cattery said | 8:24pm | Report comment
29 min
GWS 3.3 Swans 7.4
Reid takes a nice hanger, Cornes saves the goal by diving on bouncing ball, then has to get up and smother it a second time – great play Cornes!
8:25pm
Ian Whitchurch said | 8:25pm | Report comment
Good spread of good games for the kids – WHE and Cogs – the mercs – Ward – and the Geriatrice with Scully – Cornes and McDonald
8:23pm
The Cattery said | 8:23pm | Report comment
29 min
GWS 3.3 Swans 7.4
late in 2nd half here, Palmer with take away from boundary throw in, across face of goal, throw in opposite pocket, Izzy with tap down, but Bolton wins the free
8:21pm
The Cattery said | 8:21pm | Report comment
25 min
GWS 3.3 Swans 7.4
Giles with the big fist out of the centre square, it comes back, Swans quickly into fwd 50, Ward spins out of trouble, sticks to the boundary
8:20pm
The Cattery said | 8:20pm | Report comment
24 min
GWS 3.3 Swans 7.4
Roberts-Thomson in marking contest, first to recover, handball to Bolton, snap, good goal to swans!
8:19pm
The Cattery said | 8:19pm | Report comment
21 min
GWS 3.3 Swans 6.4
Giants still holding firm, coming out square so far this quarter at a point when Swans had gone out to 5 goals, strong mark to Davis, Palmer, Giants keeping it here, Hampton marks, he’s off, but puts it out on the full – that was a clanger
8:17pm
The Cattery said | 8:17pm | Report comment
21 min
GWS 3.3 Swans 6.4
Palmer up against Goodes in marking contest, forced to give away the free, over to outer side for throw in
8:16pm
The Cattery said | 8:16pm | Report comment
20 min
GWS 3.3 Swans 6.4
Giants do well to link up and go down the wing via Tomlinson, Grundy caught, Jetta tries to get away from WArd, forced backwards!
8:15pm
The Cattery said | 8:15pm | Report comment
19 min
GWS 3.3 Swans 6.4
Palmer puts his head over the ball, and wins the free – good play by Palmer, Cameron with the leap, got hands to it, but couldn’t bring it down, Cornes jsut got to the footy then to save a goal,
8:18pm
Ian Whitchurch said | 8:18pm | Report comment
Theres apparently a scuffle. Good to see – dont back down. It isnt a suspension, it’s you’re being rotated
8:14pm
The Cattery said | 8:14pm | Report comment
18 min
GWS 3.3 Swans 6.4
Cameron caught iwth it, ball up, Swans now showing a bit more urgency, Goodes could have won the free, play on, Bolton round the corner, rushed, good pressure from Giants again
8:15pm
Ian Whitchurch said | 8:15pm | Report comment
Apparently we’re winning the tackle count 33-26
Carna Giants
8:13pm
The Cattery said | 8:13pm | Report comment
17 min
GWS 3.3 Swans 6.3
Swans in attack, Goodes roves ruck contest, over the line for a throw in, Swans FP, outer side
8:12pm
The Cattery said | 8:12pm | Report comment
15 min
GWS 3.3 Swans 6.3
2 quick goals from GWS, giving the Swans something to think about it, and it’s Hoskin-Elliott cleaning it up at the last line of defence, he’s everywhere at the moment, Giants again, quick hands, Hampton on to loose ball, running shot, misses but geez he was fast!
8:10pm
The Cattery said | 8:10pm | Report comment
14 min
GWS 3.2 Swans 6.3
Rohan’s shoulder looks gone, from the bounce, quick snap, Hoskin-Elliott – it’s through!!
8:09pm
The Cattery said | 8:09pm | Report comment
12 min
GWS 2.2 Swans 6.3
Izzy wins the ruck contest, Giants into 50 for first time, Shiels getting a bit of it, Wilson is legged, right on 50, he showed a bit there, can he make the journey? He can!!! that’s a great goal!!
8:10pm
Ian Whitchurch said | 8:10pm | Report comment
Carna Giants
Izzy haters can go watch lacrosse
9:53pm
Andrew said | 9:53pm | Report comment
What channel is the lacrosse on?
8:07pm
The Cattery said | 8:07pm | Report comment
10 min
GWS 1.2 Swans 6.3
ball up near Swans goals, Swans with take away here, McGlynn dumped after free, he’ll get a shot at goal here, about 45m out, looks good, makes it, 2nd goal for swans this quarter, giants struggling to get hands on footy
8:05pm
The Cattery said | 8:05pm | Report comment
9 min
GWS 1.2 Swans 5.3
Hampton with mark on wing to relieve the pressure, but no forward structure at the moment for Giants, a case of plugging the dam at the moment
8:04pm
The Cattery said | 8:04pm | Report comment
8 min
GWS 1.2 Swans 5.3
ball held up at Swans CHF, outside 50, Giants really having a problem getting past the centre at the moment, Davis on Reid, forces it over the line
8:03pm
The Cattery said | 8:03pm | Report comment
7 min
GWS 1.2 Swans 5.3
Izzy wiht mark and first possession, but it comes straight back
8:02pm
The Cattery said | 8:02pm | Report comment
6 min
GWS 1.2 Swans 5.3
strong overhead mark by Reid, shot from the angle, behind only
8:04pm
Ian Whitchurch said | 8:04pm | Report comment
Radio commentators are saying nice things about GWS’s defensive pressure
8:02pm
The Cattery said | 8:02pm | Report comment
5 min
GWS 1.2 Swans 5.2
again Giants can’t hit the target, forced over the line by Malceski, Davis kicks out on the full, Giants struggling to clear def 50 past min
8:01pm
The Cattery said | 8:01pm | Report comment
4 min
GWS 1.2 Swans 5.2
Watching Jetta deliver again, that’s what Giants missing at the moment, clean take away and accurate delivery to fwd line, and again, it’s Reid this time, Davis has been ok, Reid with his first mark – reversed!! Mumford with a bit of shoving
8:02pm
Ian Whitchurch said | 8:02pm | Report comment
I remember the Swans having that problem for about the decade between 1996 and 2005
8:03pm
Ian Whitchurch said | 8:03pm | Report comment
Izzzy
7:59pm
The Cattery said | 7:59pm | Report comment
3 min
GWS 1.2 Swans 5.2
Jetta with the take away, pass to Roberts- Thomson for goal
7:58pm
The Cattery said | 7:58pm | Report comment
2 min
GWS 1.2 Swans 4.2
inside 50s Swans 18 Giants 9 – reflection of how game has gone, Giants have found it harder to get past HFF line,
8:00pm
Ian Whitchurch said | 8:00pm | Report comment
Its the transition game thats going to kill GWS this year …
7:57pm
The Cattery said | 7:57pm | Report comment
1 min
GWS 1.2 Swans 4.2
Choco talked about tackling numbers good for Giants, Swans take aways probably higher than they would hope, but will be hard to cut that down
we’ve started, in Swans fwd line, McVeigh forced wide onto his left, a behind
7:55pm
MHTID said | 7:55pm | Report comment
Yippee a lot of goals scored, so therefore one can conclude that AFL is an exciting game. YAWN
10:56am
micka said | 10:56am | Report comment
MHTID said | 7:55pm
What a well thought out and insightful comment. It must have been exciting enough for you to have specifically hunted down a live score and commentary blog just to drop some troll work in. To be honest here weren’t that many goals scored all things considered so your general ignorance of the game was duly noted…….. yawn
7:53pm
The Cattery said | 7:53pm | Report comment
QT
GWS 1.2 (8) Swans 4.1 (25)
The young Giants got into the swing of the game from the start, laid some good tackles, but the experience of the Swans showed out on many occasions, winning crucial contests that led to goals.
Mohr has been good in defence for the Giants, and at the other end, Grundy has won pretty much everything that has come his way. Mumford is killing them in the ruck, and Bolton has got a bit of it.
Ward with the Giants’ first goal, left foot shot on run from around 40m after some good forward line pressure – remember that for future trivial pursuit question.
7:50pm
The Cattery said | 7:50pm | Report comment
25 min
GWS 1.2 Swans 4.1
Kennedy gets pinged for dragging it in, and it’s another free to Giants
7:53pm
Ian Whitchurch said | 7:53pm | Report comment
So far its the sort of tight, willing, ugly game I expected, with the Swans being a bit cleaner and therefore a bit better on the scoreboard.
But its been a game of footy – the sigh of relief you can hear is AFL house.
7:55pm
The Cattery said | 7:55pm | Report comment
Yes, already a better start than the Suns last season – it’s a watchable game, some Giants youngsters impressing, but inexperience occasionally showing out, quite a few take aways from Mumford’s good ruck work – makes it a bit easier for the Swans
7:49pm
The Cattery said | 7:49pm | Report comment
22 min
GWS 1.2 Swans 4.1
For all the Giants effort, and it has been very good, but swans out to 3 goal lead now, Giants really want to hold them here , but Swans clear through Bolton,
7:48pm
The Cattery said | 7:48pm | Report comment
20 min
GWS 1.2 Swans 4.1
Swans win a few contests in the middle of the park, and it ends up with Kennedy for shot on goal from around 40m, get it
7:47pm
jamesb said | 7:47pm | Report comment
I know 1st qtr is well underway, but good luck to GWS
7:47pm
The Cattery said | 7:47pm | Report comment
18 min
GWS 1.2 Swans 3.1
Looks like it was friendly fire, Rohan ran into Bolton, Johnson puts swans into attack, Mohr doing well on the last line of defence, good compusure Giants bring down near wing, Hampton tries the impossible dribble shot from the boundary – but not enough legs on it!
7:46pm
The Cattery said | 7:46pm | Report comment
17 min
GWS 1.2 Swans 3.1
some of the Giants kids doing well, tackling hard, Giants win the free, Izzy goes hard at the marking contest, but collects HOskin-Elliott, Mohr clears, god diving mark, in meantime, it’s Rohan on the deck, not sure what happened there
7:44pm
The Cattery said | 7:44pm | Report comment
16 min
GWS 1.2 Swans 3.1
Giants winning some footy here, pass to Giles not good, Swans clear
7:43pm
The Cattery said | 7:43pm | Report comment
15 min
GWS 1.2 Swans 3.1
error from Swans, kick off the ground by Smith for Giants, behind only
7:42pm
The Cattery said | 7:42pm | Report comment
15 min
GWS 1.1 Swans 3.1
Swans into attack now, outer HFF, Giants with take away from throw in, Palmer runs through to Giles, Shiels wiht long kick, no one home, Johnson tidies up
7:40pm
The Cattery said | 7:40pm | Report comment
13 min
GWS 1.1 Swans 3.1
Well done to Ward, first goal, heavy bump on a Swans player, not sure who it is getting up gingerly, Giants ahve a bit of a sniff here, It was McDonald collecting him of the centre bounce
7:41pm
Ian Whitchurch said | 7:41pm | Report comment
Carna Giants … Im too sick for the game, though :Z
7:52pm
Norm said | 7:52pm | Report comment
Great that Ward got 1st Giants’ goal. Anyone tipped that?
7:39pm
jcinque said | 7:39pm | Report comment
At the ground…goodes aerobic capacity too much for chad cornes to handle so he’s been moved off the dual brownlow medallist.
7:41pm
The Cattery said | 7:41pm | Report comment
cheers jc – good pick up – hope you enjoy the night!
7:39pm
The Cattery said | 7:39pm | Report comment
12 min
GWS 1.1 Swans 3.1
Antoher good tackle from the Giants, but Richards takes a strong defensive mark in between two Giants forwards
goes backward, cut off here, Izzy nearly gets it
Ward onto the spilled footy, on his left – gets it from 40m!! First goal to the co-capt!!
7:37pm
The Cattery said | 7:37pm | Report comment
12 min
GWS 0.1 Swans 3.1
Mumford dominating in the rock, Grundy again with the mark, better position than Izzy, Mumford can’t stop it frm going over
7:37pm
The Cattery said | 7:37pm | Report comment
11 min
GWS 0.1 Swans 3.1
Grundy cuts it off again, to Bird, smothered, Coniglio keeps it alive, gains some metres for throw in, good result for the Giants
7:35pm
The Cattery said | 7:35pm | Report comment
10 min
GWS 0.1 Swans 3.1
Mohr in better position than Goodes and takes the strong defensive mark, but Jacks to bring it in again, quick hands by Giants, hurried kick, cut off by Grundy,
7:34pm
The Cattery said | 7:34pm | Report comment
9 min
GWS 0.1 Swans 3.1
good pressure form Giants, but ball still stuck in swans fwd line, touched, Giants almost clear, Mcveigh with strong spoil, over teh line for throw in, still in swans 50 line
Cornes unlucky, should have been paid the mark, Goodes quick hands to Smith – goal!
7:36pm
Cameron said | 7:36pm | Report comment
This is not looking good for GWS already! 100+ point margin has to be odds on at this stage.
7:32pm
The Cattery said | 7:32pm | Report comment
7 min
GWS 0.1 Swans 2.1
YOung Giants already puffing, they need to hold out, Swans with take away not clean, Giants get the turnover, ugly kick forward, Mumford floats across and marks, Malceski off, kennedy on centre-wing, Reid in front of Davis, deep, Goodes can’t mark, Everitt tackled strongly
7:30pm
The Cattery said | 7:30pm | Report comment
6 min
GWS 0.1 Swans 2.1
Swans get the 50m here, against Ward, unlucky, it was almost a play on, Smith from 40m, drills it for their second
7:29pm
The Cattery said | 7:29pm | Report comment
5 min
GWS 0.1 Swans 1.1
Coniglio with an early possession, series of handballs across the middle of the park, but Richards with the defensive mark, goes wide, now going down the outer wing, Ward intercepts, Giants going all right
7:28pm
The Cattery said | 7:28pm | Report comment
4 min
GWS 0.1 Swans 1.1
so far, Giants doing ok around the ball, contesting, tackling, Goodes now with the mark outer HFF, puts it in Reid can’t mark, Davis handballs to safety
7:27pm
The Cattery said | 7:27pm | Report comment
3 min
GWS 0.1 Swans 1.1
Giants finally with reward for some good tackling, Ward, Swans get it back but straight down Cornes’ throat, out wide, with Hampton, he’s out wide, tight angle, 45m, tough kick, just off line for Giants’ first score
7:26pm
The Cattery said | 7:26pm | Report comment
2 min
GWS 0.0 Swans 1.1
Swans straight into attack from the bal up, Everitt nearly ran into an open goal, but couldn’t connect! rushed behind
7:24pm
The Cattery said | 7:24pm | Report comment
Cornes wins it last line of defence, Giants sweep it forward down the wing, good quick ball movement then, Izzy can’t mark it, Swans with take away from throw in
Goodes caught!
another strong tackle on Lewis-Thompson, but Jack onto the loose ball – snap – Goal!
7:23pm
The Cattery said | 7:23pm | Report comment
they just mentioned Breakfast point
ball up, free to sydney straight from the bounce
7:22pm
The Cattery said | 7:22pm | Report comment
Callan Ward and Adam Goodes shake, Goodes wins the coin toss, chooses the end
Lingy says to keep an eye on Phil Davis, young co-capt for Giants,
7:20pm
The Cattery said | 7:20pm | Report comment
Siren goes
with the BS over
it’s a matter now of winning the footy
7:19pm
The Cattery said | 7:19pm | Report comment
National anthem
only a few minutes to go now
7:17pm
The Cattery said | 7:17pm | Report comment
With about 5 min to go, there will be one minute silence now for Jimmy Stynes
7:16pm
The Cattery said | 7:16pm | Report comment
Before we start, let me repeat: I really want the Giants to hang on in there for as long as possible – but it’s likely they will be blown off the park within the first 10 minutes – let’s hope not – but I warn you, it’s a distinct possibility.
It’s literally boys against men, 17 debutants vs 1.
7:13pm
The Cattery said | 7:13pm | Report comment
About 10 min now to first bounce
7:12pm
The Cattery said | 7:12pm | Report comment
It’s pretty clear already that the 45k record held by the Crows will NOT be broken
7:11pm
The Cattery said | 7:11pm | Report comment
Giants run through the banner, tribute to Jim Stynes, their new club song playing in the background.
It’s a big, big sound….
7:10pm
The Cattery said | 7:10pm | Report comment
Swans already out, Giants coming out now, Cameron smashing the footy on the locker, last out, pumped, Izzy looking big and strong, but I tell you what, those Swans look pretty big right across the team!!
7:08pm
The Cattery said | 7:08pm | Report comment
A reminder that Harry Cunningham is debuting for the Swans, 18 yo, from Wagga, part of GWS zone, but rejected by them,
7:06pm
The Cattery said | 7:06pm | Report comment
Sheeds addressing the boys now.
HIs best involvement ever in the AFL – building something, building something new.
What I appreciate what happened in my life.
YOur parents are here, watching – what a great opportunity, they’re watching, they’re hoping when they see you near the ball – Get it! Get that ball!
Don’t let any player dominate you!!
They’re running out now!
7:09pm
Titus said | 7:09pm | Report comment
I’m gonna talk camly….THEN I”M GONNA RAISE MY VOICE!
7:04pm
The Cattery said | 7:04pm | Report comment
20 min to go, I’m sticking with 7Mate for the moment because they’re going into the rooms for Sheeds’ pre-game address – so I’ll try and bring a flavour of that, Giants already in the room ready for the address
7:00pm
The Cattery said | 7:00pm | Report comment
LUke Darcy interviewing Tom Scully on 7Mate, the Giants’ 6 million dollar man. He’s out after an accidental head clash with Izzy. I just saw the footage for the first time, they’ve both run in to tackle the same Richmond player, and somehow smashed into each others’ faces!
Tom kept his feet and kept going, and surprisingly, it was the big fella who ended up on the ground nursing his face, but Tom is the one that ended up fracturing something.
6:52pm
The Cattery said | 6:52pm | Report comment
Watching 7mate at the moment, they started their coverage at 6:30, doing interviews with Stephen Coniglio’s parents – huge buzz about the game already – Giants have flown in the parents of all the debutants tonight
6:47pm
Jo said | 6:47pm | Report comment
Go Swans
6:44pm
The Cattery said | 6:44pm | Report comment
I mention below how the Herald Sun has focused on the MCG being empty for the opening of the AFL season.
Then pages 4 and 5 are given over entirely to the headline: What about us? Cry Melbourne Fans
and there are shots of sad AFL fans
Jon Anderson writes about Izzy: Whatrever the AFL and Greater Western Sydney are paying Israel Folau, they could triple it and still get value for money.
Jon Anderson had trouble finding anyone in Blacktown who was a keen AFL supporter, and after being threatened a few times, he finally found an English immigrant who actually knew Kevin Sheedy.
9:38pm
David Jones said | 9:38pm | Report comment
Are you a paid employee of the AFL.
I’ve never seen someone parrot off so much AFL promotion in a blog in my life.
12:49pm
The Cattery said | 12:49pm | Report comment
No, I’m obviously not an AFL employee – but I’m open to offers.
I have canvassed the sports sections of the Saturday papers on an historic day – no more.
6:39pm
The Cattery said | 6:39pm | Report comment
the Canberra Time sports lift out dedicates the first two pages to tonight’s game.
Sheeds is quoted as warning all to expect a contest.
Barry Round is interviewed about going to Sydney wiht Sth Melbourne exactly 30 years ago.
Jezza reckons he’ll be focusing more on the Brumbies v Otago game!
6:37pm
The Cattery said | 6:37pm | Report comment
IN the They Said It colum of Inside Edition, in the Tele, Andrew Demetriou is pictured and quoted: “The greater Sydney region is a melting pot of great cultures – those who have come to this city from all parts of Australia, and those who have come from other lands.”
6:34pm
The Cattery said | 6:34pm | Report comment
Neil Cordy quotes Kevin Sheedy as saying that he plans to use speed as the Giant’s “secret weapon.
Looks like John Longmire, swans coach, is ready for that. No second ruckman has named, with both Pyke and Seaby not playing. LRT will share the rucking duties witih Mumford.
With Mumford and Kennedy in the middle for each bounce, the giants are going to struggle getting first use of the footy to exploit their speed.
Jonathon Giles debuts for the giants, and is a mature player, but will have his work cut out combatting Mumford.
Sheeds is still publicly declaring that his young team is a chance to win.
6:30pm
The Cattery said | 6:30pm | Report comment
Tonight’s game starts at 7:20pm, it will be televised on both Fox Footy and Channel 7 in the Southern states, and on 7mate in the Northern states.
6:29pm
The Cattery said | 6:29pm | Report comment
ON page 135 of the Tele, Izzy writes his own article: Door closes and another one opens
He talks about the excitement surrounding tonight’s game, how the hype is as big as a State of Origin game.
He talks of some dark days mid way through last year where he started to doubt himself, but how a few grabs he took against Hawthorn renewed his confidence and he started to see the progress coming from all the hard work.
6:26pm
The Cattery said | 6:26pm | Report comment
ON pg 134 of the Tele, Kieren Jack writes an article: Rivalry will energise Sydney AFL.
He talks about how much has changed since he gave AFL a go back at primary school, some 10 years ago.
While he loved League and soccer, as he still does, he took to Australian Football like a duck to water. Not only did it suit him, being a small kid, but he loved the freedom to run on the larger field.
He talks of how his brother, Brandon, 18, is going through the Swans Academy and how his skills are way ahead of where he was at the same age.
He talks of the things Izzy has to overcome in establishing himself as an AFL player, speaking from experience, it’s the game awareness, the 360 degree nature of the game, but he adds how Karmichael Hunt has got used to that aspect, having played the Suns recently.
9:40pm
David Jones said | 9:40pm | Report comment
The Daily Rugby League Telegraph is a cash for comment newspaper and the AFL have obviously invested heavily in getting them to promote AFL and the game today.
If you look at Sydney’y other newspaper, the Sydney Morning Herald you’ll see a much more balanced sports report.
6:21pm
The Cattery said | 6:21pm | Report comment
In the sport section of the Tele, pages 134 and 135 are also given over fully to tonight’s game, with pictures of Kieren Jack and Izzy in the middle of a double page spread (it’s the same photo that appears on the front page of the Herald sun, although they put a different spin on it, see below).
The headline across the two pages: It’s G-Day: Sydney’s Giant invation begins.
6:17pm
The Cattery said | 6:17pm | Report comment
Rebecca Wilson finds only one fault with the AFL’s season launch in her weekly column, it should have happened in full view of the Harbour and opera house (I thought part of it did??)
She then goes on to say: That gripe aside, the code must be congratulated on tonight’s Swans/GWS pre-match build up. This city has never seen so much AFL on sports pages.
That’s what it’s all about.
6:14pm
The Cattery said | 6:14pm | Report comment
Pg 143 of the Tele, the 2nd page of the double page spread, goes through four players to watch tonight:
Shane Mumford, Swans’ ruckman, likely to have a bit of a field day today
Jude Bolton, hard running mid, can pop up anywhere, wins plenty of contested footy
Chad Cornes, ex Port premierhsip player, a much needed big body for the giants
Izzy, good build, strong, big, safe hands, but will be only marginally better than a rookie in his first full AFL game
6:09pm
The Cattery said | 6:09pm | Report comment
Page 2 of the Tele opens with the headline:
Front-row seats for a giant new era in Sport.
Neil Cordy (former bulldogs and swans player) writes about the biggest experiment in Australian sport.
Hopes are high for a crowd close to 40,000. Optimists are hoping to break the record set in 1991 by the Crows for a debut AFL team.
The arrival of the AFL’s 18th team completes an expansion of the game which started when the code’s former incarnation, the Victorian Football League, sent South Melbourne to Sydney exaclty 30 years ago.
The Giants are the 8th team to establish themselves outside of Victoria.
6:05pm
The Cattery said | 6:05pm | Report comment
The front and back page of the Tele comes out like a lift-out with more about the game this evening taking up the whole of page 2 and all of page 143 (the second last page of the paper, where the sport would normall start).
It’s an incredible write up about the game – probably more than the Melbourne papers have given.
6:03pm
The Cattery said | 6:03pm | Report comment
The Daily telegraph also has an AFL ad on the bottom page about the game, ticketing arrangements, etc. and then on the back page the AFL has taken out a full page ad out, with a montage of photos of kids and AFL players playing AFL, laid out like the map of Australia (including Tassie!), and it says:
It’s big
It’s North south east west
It’s high
It’s hard
It’s ours
It’s yours
It’s unbelievable
It is Australia’s Game
The AFL and Premier Partner Toyota welcome the GWS Giants as they join the Sydney Swans in our national competition.
The AFL thank Toyota for their ongoing support for Australia’s game at all levels – Toyota don’t just sponsor the league, they love it. From the Good for Footy program at grassroots level right through to the Toyota AFL Premiership season.
On behalf of our 18 clubs and Toyota, we wish the best for the season ahead to the millions of Australians whose support, passion, and participation make our great game Australia’s game. And to the people new to our game: Welcome to Australia’s Game.
5:57pm
The Cattery said | 5:57pm | Report comment
I made sure I collected a few papers this morning, just to see how much attention this evening’s game would receive, and I was pleasantly surprised.
The Daily Telegraph has Izzy on the front page with the headline: CRUNCH TIME Giants and Swans kick start AFL season.
Incredibly – the Herald Sun front page is not so positive about the first game of the season. There’s a photo of both Kieren Jack and Izzy, and the headline starts with: FOOTY KICKS OFF, but immediately underneath that, there’s a photo of an empty MCG with:
BUT THE MCG IS EMPTY
5:45pm
The Cattery said | 5:45pm | Report comment
About 90 minutes to go to the opening game of the 2012 AFL season, prior to that, I’ll be putting some info up on some incredible press coverage this morning on the game – some of it quite surprising.