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Greater Western Sydney has stayed in the finals hunt with a comfortable 32 point win over a battling Essendon outfit.
Essendon were well in the game for two and a half quarters, but the GWS prime movers took the game quickly away from them with an 11 goal to 3 second half after being behind at the half time break.
The win came despite being beaten all day in the possession count, and they finished with 329 to Essendon’s 384.
Most of Essendon’s disposals were either ineffective or made in any direction but forwards, as opposed to how GWS moved the ball – with 24 bounces to 6.
GWS’s efficiency also told as they went forward, with their 14 goals coming from 13 less inside 50 entries (45-58) as Essendon could not manage to make as much of having only two less scoring shots than the Giants.
>>MATCH REPORT: Giants blow Bombers away after half-time
Another surprising statistic was the clearances, with Essendon winning them 34 to 29, but not being able to make anything of that on the spread.
In the end, they lacked the class and composure needed to overcome the talented exuberance of GWS.
Jeremy Cameron, Josh Kelly, Cam McCarthy and Devon Smith all kicked two goals for the Giants, while Cale Hooker, Joe Daniher and Ben Howlett also all kicked two majors each.
Brendon Goddard lead all comers with 32 possessions, along with 9 marks and 5 tackles in a fighting display.
Michael Hibberd (28 touches, 6 marks), Brent Stanton (28 touches, 5 marks), Ben Howlett (20 touches, 6 marks, 8 tackles, 2 goals) and Jon Giles (17 touches, 11 clearances, 1 goal) all also played well for the Bombers.
For the winning side, Toby Greene was outstanding with 31 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles and 1 goal.
Steven Coniglio (27 touches, 5 marks, 1 goal), Lachie Whitfield (24 touches, 1 goal), Josh Kelly (22 tocuhes, 2 goals) and Adam Treloar (24 touches, 9 tackles) all contributed to the second half assault.
It was a bit of a disappointing end to the game as GWS kicked away, but there were some good signs for Essendon after they put up a good fight for most of the game.
GWS will be happy with the four points and a chance at finals footy.
GWS 14.9.93 def. Essendon 8.13.61
The Greater Western Sydney Giants will be looking to keep pace with the top eight when they clash with the lowly Essendon Bombers at Spotless Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3:20pm (AEST).
In their four meetings to date the Giants are yet to register a win against Essendon, but have the perfect opportunity to change that this week.
GWS are playing to keep their finals hopes alive. Despite injuries to some of their key players and a young list, they are just two points and percentage off eighth.
On the other hand, the Bombers are playing to prove that their coach has not completely lost the plot, with only respect left to be gained from this disastrous season.
Motivation and form aside, GWS will be confident of finally overcoming the Bombers, as they have progressively cut down their losing margins from 66 points, to 39 twice, and 15 in their last meeting.
However, given their accuracy in front of goal – 204 goals and 212 behinds at 45.6 per cent – a win is not inevitable for the Giants.
Their opponents have failed to score more than 10 goals in a game nine times this season, all while constantly shifting around key position players in search of the perfect mix.
For GWS, Jed Lamb, Matt Buntine (concussion), James Stewart and Tom Downie all find themselves out of the side. Rhys Palmer, Devon Smith, Tom Bugg, Jon Patton, Nick Haynes, Cam McCarthy and Andrew Phillips make up an impressive list of ins, even as an extended bench.
Essendon welcome back two of Courtenay Dempsey, Heath Hocking, Ben Howlett, Michael Hurley and Shane Edwards, who will replace the injured Zach Merrett (foot) and Andrew Browne (omitted).
These changes will add strength to the Giants’ midfield and forward line, while Essendon gain some experienced heads in the hope of outsmarting their younger opponents.
Prediction
Most sensible people would have to tip GWS.
Greater Western Sydney by 40 points.
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