The Greater Western Sydney Giants will be looking to redeem themselves after last weekend’s loss, and it’s the Brisbane Lions with the daunting task of facing them at Spotless Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 1:10pm (AEST).
The Giants sit fifth on the ladder, a place they fully deserve based on their early-season form, with their three losses coming at the hands of the Swans, Eagles and Bulldogs, all away from home.
Their six wins have seen triumphs over Hawthorn and Adelaide, as well as thumping wins over the Blues, Suns and Demons. A win over the Lions would set them up nicely for next week’s game against Collingwood.
The Lions strung together consecutive wins three weeks ago, but that’s been the only joy in a fairly dog season. Their injury list is perhaps only matched by their fellow Queenslanders’, and they’ve slumped to 16th on the ladder, despite the pre-season optimism surrounding them.
The Lions get a much needed break next weekend, and a chance to get their list a little healthier.
The Giants will make at least two changes for this clash, as Nick Haynes comes out with a groin injury, while Adam Kennedy has been dropped. Phil Davis, Zac Williams, Rory Lobb, Jack Steele, and Nathan Wilson are all in line for a recall.
Brisbane have made five changes, and there are some massive outs. James Aish suffered a jaw injury, Ryan Harwood misses with concussion, Claye Beams is out for the year with a knee injury, Tom Rockliff broke ribs for the second time this season, and Jed Adcock pinged a calf.
The long list of potential replacements are Jordon Bourke, Hugh Beasley, Pearce Hanley, Josh Clayton, Tom Cutler, Sam Mayes, Mitch Golby, and Josh McGuinness.
This marks the first time the Lions have travelled south to play the Giants, as they’ve been lucky enough to face them at home three years in a row. The Lions hold a 2-1 advantage from those three games, although the Giants did take last year’s clash by 45 points.
Prediction
The Giants were very bad last weekend, but you’d expect the occasional performance like that from such a young squad. The Lions are on their last legs already for 2015, and the Giants should lump more misery on the battling club.
Giants by 52
clipper
Guest
Just over 9,000 not too bad a crowd against a lowly team - last year would've been around 7.500 - still better than 7,103 for the Tigers and not too far below 9,800 for the Eels on the weekend in Sydney.
XI
Roar Guru
Don't know what's weirder: your conspiracy theories or clumsy typos.
john ryan
Guest
Who did they beat, where are Brisbane on the ladder, of more interest is how many legs will the AFL add to the supposed crod as GWS crowds in Sydney at heir home ground have a Habit of inflating
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
FULL TIME The Giants have recorded the best season in their short history by recording their seventh win of the season. They were much too good today, as they marched over the Brisbane Lions by 30 points. The Lions weren't terrible in this game, but the Giants class showed in the end. The Lions led this one at quarter time, but it was all GWS from that point forward, as they continued to build their lead. They led by as many as 46 points in the last quarter. Jeremy Cameron, Dayne Beams and Rohan Bewick all kicked three goals to lead that count, while Callan Ward was best on ground with 32 disposals, 12 tackles and a goal. Thanks for joining me for Sunday Afternoon football. STATS: Disposals: Giants 352-348 Free Kicks: Lions 16-13 Clearances: Giants 53-35 Inside 50: Giants 54-37 Contested Possesions: Giants 132-117 Tackles: Giants 83-55 Hit Outs: Giants 56-49 Giants Top 5 AFL Fantasy: 1. Callan Ward 149 2. Shane Mumford 121 3. Adam Treloar 120 4. Devon Smith 106 5. Joshua Kelly 96 Lions Top 5 AFL Fantasy: 1. Dayne Beams 123 2. Stefan Martin 116 3. Allen Christensen 111 4. Marco Paparone 105 5. Zac O'Brien 101
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks Joel, Big win for the Giants.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL LIONS 0' The Giants have got this one sewed up, and it's let Dayne Beams kick another goal from the goal square. Good work from Christensen to set that one up. Giants 14.13 97 Lions 10.7 67
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND GIANTS 1' Ward and Mumford combine in the middle, and Jeremy Cameron marks deep in the pocket. He's hit the post. Giants 14.13 97 Lions 9.7 61
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL LIONS 2' Consolation goal from Dayne Beams. He's been ok today, but those misses have really hurt. Giants 14.12 96 Lions 9.7 61
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND GIANTS 3' Great chase from Wilson, as he chases down Pearce Hanley on half forward. The Giants should get a goal from this one, but Treloar has pushed his shot out to the right. Giants 14.12 96 Lions 8.7 55
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL LIONS 4' Too little, too late here. Rich wins a free kick in the middle, and Zorko sneaks through for a mark 30 from goal. He flirts with the right goalpost, but it's there. Giants 14.11 95 Lions 8.7 55
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL GIANTS 4' It's getting ugly for Brisbane now, as Ryan Griffen kicks a goal from 35 out. That Dayne Beams miss has proven to be very important. Giants 14.11 95 Lions 7.7 49
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL GIANTS 6' Hoskin-Elliott with a clever handball forward to Stewart, and the third forward kicks a goal! Giants 13.11 89 Lions 7.7 49
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND GIANTS 6' The fight is gone now, as the Giants are doing it way too easily. Smith finds space in the pocket, but his snap is offline. Giants 12.11 83 Lions 7.7 49
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL GIANTS 8' There's plenty of time for the Lions, but they don't look like stealing this one at the moment. McCarthy now marks in the pocket, and a goal here would seal the deal. It's a tough kick, but he's done it perfectly! Giants 12.10 82 Lions 7.7 49
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL GIANTS 9' That really hurts Brisbane. They get a little lazy through the middle of the ground, and the Giants will make them pay. Smith marks inside 50, and he has Cameron all by himself 10 from goal. That should do it, although Cameron has given away a free kick in the celebration. Giants 11.10 76 Lions 7.7 49
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND LIONS 10' Maybe it's not over! Christensen wins the footy at half forward, and he finds Dayne Beams 40 from goal, directly in front. This man has always been a goal kicker, but this one is terrible. Beams has missed three easy ones now. Giants 10.10 70 Lions 7.7 49
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND GIANTS 12' This time is the Giants that are missing some easy shots, as Hoskin-Elliott hits the post from 30 out. The Lions need to take advantage of this. Giants 10.10 70 Lions 7.6 48
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL LIONS 15' Harris Andrews shows some good footwork on half forward, and he sends it deep to the pocket looking for Green. He can't keep it alive, but Shaw's clearing kick is poor, and Zorko finds Green 15 from goal. He kicks truly, and the Lions are only down by 21. Giants 10.9 69 Lions 7.6 48
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND GIANTS 17' Hoskin-Elliot finds Cameron all by himself inside 50. I reckon Shiel may have gotten away with a throw in the leadup, but the Lions' defence wasn't good enough regardless. Cameron misses one he should have made. Giants 10.9 69 Lions 6.6 42
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
18' The Giants survive, as Kelly wins a free kick for high contact. The Lions needed to goal there I reckon. The Giants haven't done a great job here, as the Lions have them under a ton of pressure, but Shaw eventually shows a cool head to get them away. Giants 10.8 68 Lions 6.6 42