Melbourne vs GWS Giants: AFL live scores
Roar Guru 
Callan Ward of the Giants clears the ball ahead of Jude Bolton of the Swans during the AFL Round 01 match between the GWS Giants and the Sydney Swans at ANZ Stadium, Sydney. (Photo: Lachlan Cunningham/AFL Media)
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Melbourne and GWS Giants are chasing just their second victories of the season when they face each other at the MCG. We’ll have live scores from 3.15pm AEST.
Over the last couple of months the Demons have fought through a horror fixture. Since round 5 they’ve played six of the current top eight, with the seventh game against the ninth placed Blues.
Unsurprisingly they’ve copped some heavy losses, but they also pulled off a shock upset against the high-flying Bombers.
Today is the first time in 2012 that they’ll meet one of the league’s new teams, and they’ll be hoping to reassure their supporters and themselves that they are a cut above the developing Giants.
Greater Western Sydney have really struggled to run out four quarters in their debut season, but they pushed the wasteful Tigers all the way to the end at Skoda Stadium last week.
Number one draft pick Jonathan Patton impressed in his first game, but the Giants’ real star in the forwardline was young Jeremy Cameron. Jonathan Giles returns and is likely to spend a lot of time up forward to complete a very imposing set up. In Frawley, Sellar and impressive youngster Tom McDonald the Demons have a well matched backline.
At the other end, Mitch Clark will cause the Giants some worries. Phil Davis seems like the most logical match-up, but Sheedy likes to play Mohr deep at full back to allow Davis up the ground a bit. Mohr was good last week against Jack Riewoldt but he might struggle against an opponent of Clark’s size and mobility.
Chad Cornes has been rested after a disappointing game last week, which leaves the Giants’ backline looking pretty inexperienced.
But the real contest will be in the middle of the ground.
While a lot of the focus will be on the Giants’ high profile recruit, Tom Scully, he’s just one of a number of inside midfielders on both sides whose ability to win the clearances and apply physical pressure will be crucial today.
For the Giants, Ward, Palmer, Greene, Shiel and former Demon captain James McDonald make up a tough, brave midfield brigade that’s probably lacking a bit of class and elite disposal.
You could make the same comments about the Melbourne midfield, which includes Jones, Moloney, McKenzie, Trengove, Sylvia, Bail and Magner.
The difference probably comes in the quality of the outside players and half-back-flankers. Watts and Grimes have been in good touch lately for the Demons, while the Giants defenders really struggled to clear the ball from half-back last week.
This is crucial; in a game between two teams with ordinary disposals skills, on a cold and damp Sunday afternoon, the amount of turnovers and where on the ground they happen will be critical to the outcome.
The tip is for the Demons today, because from what I’ve seen they can hold onto the ball a bit better than the Giants can, and between Howe, Garland and Clark they should be able to outscore GWS’ young forwards. The Demons are playing with a bit more confidence than they did early in the season.
However, this will be a test for them, and GWS will sense a second win of the season is possible.
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The Crowd Says (40) | Page 1 of Comments
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10:11pm
bill larkin said | 10:11pm | Report comment
It was good to see Melbourne players seeking out Scully to shake his hand. Rabid Melbourne supporters should take a cue from the team and put the whole Scully hate thing behind them. And I’m a Demon supporter (I have to be, two of my boys work for the club)
5:56pm
TomC said | 5:56pm | Report comment
The siren goes, and Melbourne have won by seventy-eight points.
The Giants went hard early, and lead for most of the first quarter, but Melbourne quickly asserted themselves after quarter time and forced the young Giants to chase them. GWS quickly ran out of legs and Melbourne turned the game into a rout.
Jones was best on ground with 34 damaging possessions. Watts, Bate, and Grimes were other good performers in the midfield and around half-back.
The Melbourne forwardline functioned very well until about three quarter time. Clark was dominant early before having to be subbed off with a foot injury. Garland and Rivers lead well into space and finished with seven goals between them. Lynden Dunn also had his best game of the season, providing a focal point around half forward.
The big concern for Melbourne will be Mitch Clark’s injury. If they’re going to steal an upset at the Gabba next week they’ll need him firing against his old club.
For the Giants, it was a very disappointing day. Callan Ward tried hard with 27 touches, but many of them were under pressure. Cameron was just about unsighted until he got a couple in the last quarter. Adams, Treloar and Scully all worked hard but made mistakes. Mohr, Hombsch and Davis had a dirty day in the backline against the mobile Demon forwards.
Watching the way the Giants totally failed to stay in the game from quarter time on, you’d have to be concerned about the rest of their season. They lost by thirteen goals today against a team with a record of one and eleven this season. Next week they have the Sydney derby which could get ugly.
5:48pm
TomC said | 5:48pm | Report comment
Aaron Davey pushes James McDonald in the back and McDonald will take a free kick at half back for the Dees.
Lots of positives for Melbourne today, but one disappointment will be Davey’s indifferent performance. Plenty of space and time for a player like him to thrive, but he’s only had a dozen-odd possessions and hasn’t really looked threatening.
6:27pm
Oracle said | 6:27pm | Report comment
GWS were incredibly poor,almost witches hats after quarter time, especially considering how the Dees have been up until the last few weeks.
Felt sorry for a Melbourne great in James McDonald, but certainly not for Tom $cully.
GWS will struggle even more next season once every other side does their homework on them in the offeason.
5:46pm
TomC said | 5:46pm | Report comment
Trengove takes a spectacular mark at half-forward for the Dees! Plays on and kicks long to the goalsquare, where it’s rushed through for a behind.
The Giants cough it up on the kick-in, and Bate takes a shot from 50 out.
Straight through the middle, and the margin is back out to 78 points.
5:45pm
TomC said | 5:45pm | Report comment
Smith for GWS finds Cameron with a smart kick.
Cameron never looked like missing. He’s taken advantage of the space available in this low intensity last quarter.
Melbourne 19.14.128
GWS 9.3.57
5:41pm
TomC said | 5:41pm | Report comment
Scully coughs it up on the half-back line for the Giants and the Demons go forward.
Rivers spoils Davis, who looked to be in good position to mark. Rivers roves his own ball and turns to kick a neat goal on his left.
That’s four for Rivers. He joins a decent list of defenders who’ve kicked goals against the Giants this season. Merrett and Harry Taylor are two more I can think of.
5:37pm
TomC said | 5:37pm | Report comment
Bugg gets a freakish goal out of nothing from the boundary line 45m out.
GWS get their eighth.
Bugg also looks ready to call it a day. Good effort to kick a goal like that when he’s clearly spent.
5:34pm
TomC said | 5:34pm | Report comment
Well at the moment its a bit like watching thirty-six drunks stumble around a footy ground at 3am after a big night.
But Jeremy Cameron shows a bit of class with a good mark at half forward. He kicks the goal from outside 50.
Melbourne 18.11 119
GWS 7.3.45
Cameron too exhausted to celebrate after that goal.
5:28pm
TomC said | 5:28pm | Report comment
Finally the Demons work it to Rivers from Bate. Dennis Commetti missed a chance for a fishing related pun there.
Anyway, Rivers from 25m misses near side.
Melbourne by 80 points.
5:26pm
TomC said | 5:26pm | Report comment
First few minutes of the final quarter have been entirely in Melbourne’s forward half, but they haven’t got on the scoreboard yet.
5:20pm
TomC said | 5:20pm | Report comment
The Demons have turned this game into a glorified training run.
The crowd are so content they’ve even stopped booing Tom Scully.
Garland started to find a bit of it in the forwardline, and he now has three goals.
Watts and Jones continue to impress for the Dees.
Jamar is really stamping his authority in the ruck, and Melbourne are dominating the centre clearances.
For the Giants, Ward tried hard that quarter, but really they were pretty ordinary.
At 3/4 time the Demons lead by 78 points. They’ve endured a lot this season, and right now they’re taking it out on the hapless Giants. GWS look tired and disorganised, and are basically at the mercy of the opposition right now.
This doesn’t bode well for the second half of the Giants’ debut season.
5:16pm
TomC said | 5:16pm | Report comment
Luke Power takes a mark just inside forward 50 as the siren goes.
He’s not a great long kick for goal, and this fails to make the distance.
Which means GWS failed to score at all in that quarter.
Melbourne 18.8.116
GWS 6.2.38
5:14pm
TomC said | 5:14pm | Report comment
Ward takes Grimes high and it’s on! A decent melee on the half-forwardline for the Dees involving about a dozen players. In the meantime Shiel takes it forward for the Giants.
The forwardline though is totally empty because they’re all scragging at the other end of the field! The Demons clear and go forward again.
5:11pm
TomC said | 5:11pm | Report comment
Jonathon Patton subbed out of the game for Luke Power.
Mitch Clark was subbed out at the start of this quarter for Sam Blease, for the Demons.
So both teams taking off a tall forward. It’s a smart strategy as the game opens up.
5:10pm
TomC said | 5:10pm | Report comment
Apologies to anyone following this. Unfortunately my connection cut out for most of the third quarter.
Been much of the same though. The Demons have kicked well clear and now lead 18.6.114 to 6.2.38.
4:31pm
TomC said | 4:31pm | Report comment
That’s half-time, and it was all Melbourne in the second quarter. Dominated every meaningful stat and they find themselves thirty-two points in front.
Crowd still booing for some reason. I have no idea why. Surely not for the umpiring? The Demons were on the right end of quite a few decisions in that quarter.
Anyway, Nathan Jones was the dominant Demon in that quarter. He’s had sixteen touches in the first half, and while his disposal hasn’t been perfect, he’s given the Dees good drive through the middle of the ground.
Mitch Clark kicked four first quarter goals and the Giants just couldn’t stop him. He copped a knock to the head and spent half the second quarter on the bench. Mark Neeld would have to be thinking about putting Clark in cotton wool before a big grudge match against the Lions next week.
Watts, Sylvia, Grimes, Tom McDonald and Howe have also been busy for the Demons.
For the Giants, Callan Ward has probably been their best, although he’s been credited with four free kicks against! Adams, Greene and Davis have had it a few times, but in truth they all struggled in that second quarter.
Sheedy would be disappointed with the drop off from quarter to quarter.
4:22pm
TomC said | 4:22pm | Report comment
Quick clearance forward by Melbourne and McDonald for the Giants is caught under a high, touched ball. Tries a clearing handball, but it’s intercepted and Sylvia finds Garland in space. Garland turns around and gets the Demons’ eleventh goal.
Melbourne 11.3.69
GWS 6.2.38
Colin Sylvia to Colin Garland there. I wonder when the last time was a team fielded two Colins in the one forwardline.
4:20pm
TomC said | 4:20pm | Report comment
Long kick by Rivers to the forward pocket, and Howe takes an uncontested mark.
From a set shot on an angle, kicks round the corner and it’s a goal.
Demons back out to a twenty-five point lead.
4:16pm
TomC said | 4:16pm | Report comment
Dean Brogan interecepts the ball off Tom McDonald in the middle of the ground. Finds Callan Ward running on the wing.
Great kick by Ward in front of Cameron, who extends the arms to mark 45m out.
Cameron goes back and kicks the goal
Melbourne 9.2.56
GWS 6.2.38
In the meantime, Clark has come off the ground after getting an accidental knock to the head by his teammate, James Magner.
Doesn’t look too bad. Doctors will have to check for concussion, though. Would be a blow to the Dees if he couldn’t come back on. BOG so far.
4:11pm
TomC said | 4:11pm | Report comment
Jamar takes a mark in the goalsquare, and tries to play on and misses the kick in a tackle.
Umpire brings it back for a mark, and Jamar kicks the goal to extend the lead to twenty-four points.
Jamar probably a bit lucky there.
4:01pm
TomC said | 4:01pm | Report comment
Melbourne win a quick clearance, and Magner wins a free kick on 50.
He lines up to shoot, but then nails a neat pass to Clark on the lead.
Clark lines up for goal number five, but this time he misses.
Melbourne by eighteen points.
4:00pm
TomC said | 4:00pm | Report comment
The Dees start the second quarter with a goal through Trengove.
And quickly with a second as Sylvia bursts through a pack and slides through a neat finish.
Melbourne 8.1.49
GWS 5.2.32
This is more like it from Melbourne.
3:50pm
TomC said | 3:50pm | Report comment
So that’s quarter time, and it was all about Mitch Clark and Tom Scully.
Clark was cheered every time he got it, because it usually meant a goal was coming. Scully was booed every time he got near it, which was quite a bit.
Frankly, there’s some serious irony in the Demons fans complaints about Scully’s money-grabbing, when the best player on the park in that quarter was wooed from his original club with a greatly inflated pay offer.
3:48pm
TomC said | 3:48pm | Report comment
Clark again! Brogan and Mohr went up in defence but Clark with the height and leap juggles a good mark.
Kicks from a tight angle, but centimetre perfect once again.
Melbourne 6.1.37
Giants 5.1.31
Clark has absolutely dominated this quarter.
3:46pm
TomC said | 3:46pm | Report comment
Clark takes a mark in the forward pocket, but the umpire takes it off him! Apparently he double-grabbed it over the line.
Giants clear, but only as far as half back. A quick kick forward is roved by that man again, Clark, who snaps a goal.
Three in a quarter for Clark, and scores are level again.
3:42pm
TomC said | 3:42pm | Report comment
Garland leading up the wing marks, and kicks it long to Clark in the forwardline.
The Giants have the numbers back on Clark, but he’s held onto and gets a free kick.
Clark makes no mistake from the pocket, and he has his second goal.
The Demons needed that one.
Melbourne 4.0.24
Giants 5.1.31
3:40pm
TomC said | 3:40pm | Report comment
Jones running through the center is caught holding the ball, and the Giants rebound quickly.
Adams running through half forward takes a shot and puts it through.
The Giants by thirteen points. And all of a sudden they look on top.
3:37pm
TomC said | 3:37pm | Report comment
Treloar running through the middle of the ground finds Patton running into space on the forwardline. Tom McDonald needs to sharpen up. Patton is getting a bit of it.
Good kick by Patton. It’s a goal.
Melbourne 3.0.18
GIants 4.1.25
Well, five minutes ago it looked like Melbourne were going to run away with it, but the Giants have hit them on the counter a couple of times and this looks like being a tight footy game.
3:34pm
TomC said | 3:34pm | Report comment
Wilson in the play again with a great smother on the wing. Out for a throw in.
3:34pm
TomC said | 3:34pm | Report comment
The Demons with all the play on their half forwardline. The Giants manage to clear through Shiel, who sends them into attack. Wilson receives the handball and has a long shot from 50, and it goes through.
Melbourne 3.0.18
GWS 3.1.19
Great goal by Wilson. Haven’t seen much of him this season but he’s started well today.
3:28pm
TomC said | 3:28pm | Report comment
Demons off half back clear to Davey on the wing.
Davey finds Garland leading up the ground. Garland in turn finds Rivers in the pocket.
Beautiful shot from Rivers from 50m on an angle! The Demons hit the front.
Melbourne 3.0.18
GWS 2.1.13
Neeld obviously trying to stretch the GWS defence today by playing RIvers forward, and he’s done the right thing by his coach with two early goals.
3:26pm
TomC said | 3:26pm | Report comment
Dunn takes a strong mark at half forward, goes back and kicks long to the forward pocket.
Clark takes a very strong mark up high! He’ll go back and shoot from forty metres.
And he gets it through. Melbourne responding well.
Melbourne 2.0.12
GWS 2.1.13
3:24pm
TomC said | 3:24pm | Report comment
Melbourne go forward through Bate. The kick is poor, but it winds up with Rivers, who unleashes a long shot from 60m…
…and it bounces through! Smart work by Rivers to spot the empty goalsquare.
3:22pm
TomC said | 3:22pm | Report comment
Jones dragged off the ball by Shiel, but play on is the call.
Ward receives it on the half forward line who finds Giles in the forward pocket for the Giants.
Giles shot is across the face for a behind.
All Giants early on. Melbourne have been poor.
3:20pm
TomC said | 3:20pm | Report comment
Cameron feeds a handball to Patton on the forwardline, he left foots it to Wilson in the goalsquare on his own.
Wilson drops a sitter! He has to turn around and kicks it off the ground for a goal!
Umpires confer to check whether it hit the post. All clear. The Giants have two early goals.
Melbourne 0.0.0
GWS 2.0.12
3:18pm
TomC said | 3:18pm | Report comment
The Giants with the first forwardline entry. Palmer spots up Whiley in the forward pocket.
His shot falls short…but Greene roves it and kicks a goal from the goalsquare.
The Giants draw first blood.
3:23pm
TomC said | 3:23pm | Report comment
Pardon me, that was Wilson who kicked the goal. Not Whiley.
3:05pm
TomC said | 3:05pm | Report comment
A few boos as the Giants entered the ground. No doubt for Tom Scully. He might be in for a rough day from the crowd.
3:04pm
TomC said | 3:04pm | Report comment
The Demons have made a late change, with Blease replacing Bail in the selected side. Blease will start as the sub for Melbourne.
Veteran Luke Power is wearing the green vest for the Giants.