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A strong Greater Western Sydney outfit capably dismantled the undermanned Gold Coast Suns today to the tune of 36 points. The Giants led at every change but it was in the final term where they really shone, kicking six of the last seven goals to run away with the win.
While the Suns were able to win the ball at the coalface and led the clearances 33-36, the Giants proved better at controlling the ball around the ground winning the contested possessions 119-109, and remarkably dominated the disposal count 391-271.
This led to a surplus of inside 50s (the Giants led 48-41) and their sublime kicking skills allowed the Giants to set up a bevy of scoring opportunities. Established forwards Jeremy Cameron (1 goal) and Will Hoskin-Elliott (2 goals) did some good work early, but it was second-year tall Cam McCarthy who stole the show with three majors in the last term after he came on as the sub.
The Giants new additions were in good form. Former Lion Joel Patfull impressed in the backline, and former Bulldog Ryan Griffen was best on ground with 31 disposals, 9 clearances and a goal.
2012’s No. 1 Draft Pick Lachie Whitfield showed he is ready to take a step up this year with an impressive performance of 28 disposals and 9 marks, although he was poor in front of goal registering just 0.1 from two shots on the sticks.
Stephen Coniglio, Callan Ward and Dylan Shiel all shone in the Giants midfield, while Adam Tomlinson put his impressive running capacity to good use. Zac Williams and Jed Lamb had some good moments, Phil Davis and Nick Haynes were solid in defense, and Jack Steele showed some spark when he was subbed on.
For the Suns Harley Bennell was easily their best, kicking 3 superb goals and winning 6 clearances for the day. David Swallow was also busy with 24 disposals, 15 of them contested, and picked up 7 clearances for the day.
The rebounding trio of Nick Malceski, Trent McKenzie and Kade Kolodjashnij worked well together pushing the ball up the ground, though the Giants were able to wear them down as the game went on. Rookie Adam Saad showed enough to suggest he might figure into the Suns plans for Round 1.
The Suns forwards generally struggled to get into the game. Tom Lynch kicked a goal in the first quarter but was rarely sighted thereafter, although a high bump on Matt Buntine near the end of the third term might see him miss weeks. Bennell aside, no other Sun managed to kick multiple goals, though Trent McKenzie’s big supergoal in the third term was a sight to behold.
The Suns will look to make an improved performance when their more experienced midfielders like Dion Prestia, Jaeger O’Meara and of course Gary Ablett are back in the mix, in the meantime though this win will be a great confidence booster for the Giants as they look to rise up the ladder in 2015.
Greater Western Sydney 14.10.94 def. Gold Coast 2.6.4.58
It’s a clash of the expansion clubs as the Greater Western Sydney Giants play their first game of the year against the Gold Coast Suns. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4:10pm (AEDT).
Both clubs are entering the most important years of their short histories so far.
For Gold Coast, it’s a matter of living up to expectations. They were set to make finals last year, but fell out in the last minutes due largely to a mid-season injury to captain and two-time Brownlow winner Gary Ablett.
Opinion is now divided on the Suns. Are they good enough to be a finals force, are they still just a one-man band who will go to pieces without their skipper?
The Suns managed to secure an impressive win in their NAB Challenge match against Geelong last week despite the absence of Ablett, and will have the chance to back that up again this week as Ablett is still yet to return to the side.
Their side for this week’s match is remarkably similar to last week’s, with the most notable inclusions being ruckman Tom Nicholls and exciting forward Jack Martin.
With both Nicholls and Zac Smith in the side, we should get good insight this week into just who can be the Suns no. 1 ruckman in 2015. Smith impressed last week, but now Nicholls will get his chance to stake a claim. We’ll also get another look at former-Hawk Mitch Hallahan, who was very impressive in his first outing as a Sun last week. If he can back it up this week, he’ll be all but locked in for Round 1.
While the Suns are looking to deliver on potential in 2015, for the Giants this year is more about showing that potential, in longer and more consistent ways. With a host of key young players coming out of contract at the end of the season, 2015 is the year that could make or break the Giants’ future fortunes.
They’ve already taken some big strides, signing Jeremy Cameron – arguably the brightest young star in the AFL – to a five-year deal on Thursday. Devon Smith, Toby Greene, Jon Patton, Adam Tomlinson and Josh Kennedy are some others to have signed on beyond 2015.
But with young-gun midfielders like Adam Treloar, Dylan Shiel and Stephen Coniglio all coming out of contract, the Giants will want to put in some good performances to convince these young stars that the club’s future is bright.
Getting a win today would be a great way to start and it’s no surprise that the Giants have named a strong team for their first match of the year.
Established stars Callan Ward, Phil Davis, Cameron, Shiel and Coniglio will all be in the line-up, but the headliners are trade acquisitions Ryan Griffen and Joel Patful.
Academy draftee Jack Steele will also get his first run in Giants colours and is one to keep an eye on. A mature-age draftee, Steele could have an instant impact.
This game will give us a good insight into the Giants’ forward structure for 2015. With Tom Boyd gone to the Bulldogs and Jon Patton set to miss all or most of the year, spearhead Cameron desperately need of some tall support in the forward line.
Adam Tomlinson has been earmarked to play more of a stay-at-home forward role and we may see some of that in this game. Second-year play Cam McCarthy will also get his chance to impress and possibly earn a Round 1 spot.
The Giants’ ruck situation will also be interesting. Their main man Shane Mumford is sitting on the sidelines this weeks, so young rucks Rory Lobb, Andrew Phillips and Tom Downie will all get a chance to stake their claim.
While none of them are expected to push Mumford out of the best side just yet, it’ll be worth keeping an eye on the kids to see which one of them will be the Giants’ preferred back-up option in 2015.
Prediction
Both sides look like they are taking this opportunity pretty seriously, judging by the strength of the sides they have named this week. While the Giants are missing a few key players, their side looks the stronger to me, and I’ll tip them to take the win, but it could easily go either way.
Greater Western Sydney by 12 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4:10 pm AEDT.