It’s a Saturday afternoon in AFL which takes us to Skoda Stadium as the GWS Giants host the West Coast Eagles. Live scores and commentary begins from 2.10pm AEST.
It’s not hard to guess who most of the tipsters are picking for today’s game, however the Giants showed a little bit of promise and determination last week against Hawthorn.
While it wasn’t the best game the Giants had played, at least they were able to stay with a Hawks team that is destined for great things in 2013.
Whether the same can be said of today’s opponents, West Coast, is yet to be really seen, so if they can find as close to a four-quarter performance today, it could keep them in the hunt for a fair distance.
Jeremy Cameron has been the key focal point up forward and is really shining too – four goals last week makes it 22 goals from 27 shots in eight games. It’s a fair return for the 20-year-old.
And there is no doubt the team is able to get their hands on the football, with the likes of Stephen Coniglio, Callan Ward and Rhys Palmer all racking up the possessions.
But its quality that is still lacking, as well as the petrol tank in the kids, which will build in time.
Today, they face a West Coast Eagles line up that is just starting to get back near its best.
Last week, the Eagles were put under immense pressure in their clash against North Melbourne, and with sixty seconds to go, looked as if it could have been chasing plenty of tail at 3-5.
Enter Nic Naitanui.
The big number nine launched over the pack in the forward pocket to take his place on many kid’s walls in the future. Then kicked the winning goal after the siren to set the Eagles up nicely at 4-4.
But if they’re going to get to the heady heights of the top four, which was roundly predicted for 2013, the accuracy will need to improve.
Combine the scores from Rounds 4, 5 and 8 and the Eagles have an efficiency rate under 33 percent.
Despite that, forward Josh Kennedy has had a fantastic start to the year with 26 goals and eight behinds, while averaging around 13 possessions a game and half his marks being taken inside the 50m arc.
Expect to see the Eagles rest of a few of their players today, while Sharrod Wellingham (right ankle) and Will Schofield (finger) out for lengthy stints with injury.
I’d expect West Coast to get the job done and done easily. But for many, we hope to see a bit more competitiveness from the Giants and to stay in the contest longer.
Adrian
Guest
Eagles need to find Kennedy help him score goals so he can get the coleman medal
Adrian
Guest
Keep scorning goals only 5 games left come on josh Kennedy coleman medal you can do it
Chairman Kaga
Guest
Wondered "why" the rugby league world cup was being held in the UK? Anything to do with it being in desperate need of income of media? You do know most media outlets have dropped their rugby league writers in the UK? It is not in a healthy state.
Chairman Kaga
Guest
You should go along, count the people in the crowd at the next match and report back to the Roar and maybe 4 Corners.
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
That's the approach you want to take to this discussion? Really?
Allan
Guest
If nothing else, your absurd predictions about this team are great entertainment lol
Chairman Kaga
Guest
Good crowd too. Considering the NRL has been up there for about 50 or 60 years, they have already equaled what those jokers get and they are not even competitive. Imagine in 2 or 3 seasons when they begin clicking.
Chairman Kaga
Guest
The tickets are done automatically by the ticket vendor Ticketmaster. Everytime a barcode is checked in, the count goes up. Same used at the other TM stadiums. So charming these NRL heads are so concerned about the accurate reporting of crowd numbers. They do not seem to be so concerned that the Storm, Roosters, Rabbits and a whole host of other NRL teams just make up numbers to pad it out. Would not surprise me at all if the NRL modified the tv ratings also. Rupert Murdoch would be capable of it.
yewonk
Guest
this is from skodas facebook page. We have some more tickets to giveaway for this Saturday's game at SKODA Stadium, GWS GIANTS v West Coast. Just message us your name, full postal address and contact number! Good luck! some how i think the most unlucky son of a gun on the planet could still land those tickets.
yewonk
Guest
i think he is saying he agrees with you
Monopoly Man
Roar Rookie
Considering the NRL CEO came out recently calling for an end to fudged crowd figures I would say you don't have a leg to stand on.
Matt from Singapore
Guest
haha...I just worry that you might be taken by a Nigerian bank scam considering you believe anything you are told. I like you so if you get a email telling you will be given $30 million all you have to do is send your bank/credit card details for them to deposit the money, it's a scam. Likewise if the stadium is 90% empty & the AFL who own the team & control everything about the franchise tell you there were over 6,000 there but your eyes & mind tell you there would be lucky to 2,000 there, it's a scam. Hope I helped!
clipper
Guest
I think you'll find there will be many games with a lot less in attendance in the early rounds than what they get at GWS - keep us posted on those.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
I think GWS needs to go into a kinda sporting cryogenic freeze for about 3 years and wake the rest of us up when they manage to string at least 2 wins in a row
Monopoly Man
Roar Rookie
World Cup? *Cringe* Perhaps if the result wasn't a forgone conclusion I would take more interest. As for your sold out grounds in England, I think I would take more notice of the state of the English super league before I go bragging.
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
They got taken to the cleaners by another triple-digit number at number. Wouldn't you be drinking?
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
They make you go to Wales? You poor buggers!
Matt_S
Guest
Don't worry,we can enjoy our world cup opening ceremony at Millenieum stadium, Wales, semi finals at Wembley and final at Old Trafford, the BBC TV cameras nationwide at South of France for the challenge cup qtr final, or Manchester Magic with 75,000 tickets sold at Man City's home ground. So we leaguies are enjoying ourselves immensely since you've bought the game into your argument.
Matt from Singapore
Guest
Must be a big bar mate!
Monopoly Man
Roar Rookie
And once again you fellaz are on here debating crowd figures.. Hey champ, how many did you count at the tigers last night? Even if it was close to the 7000 quoted that is still an embarrassment to Sydney from a team consisting of 2 rugby league teams from the west with years and years of history. Add to that the 11 000 the bulldogs got ( one of the more popular teams against a powerhouse in the broncos). Meanwhile 65 000 turn up down south. But by all means keep scrutinising the Giants.