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.
JR Salazar
Guest
Nice to see the Giants making a run at finals footy. They make it, they earned it. it's that simple.
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Thank you for joining me once again, I hope you've all enjoyed your weekend of footy!
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
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. 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.
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Full Time GWS 14.9.93 Essendon 8.13.61 GWS win by 32 points, I'll have a summary for you shortly
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Goal Essendon Jon Giles has had a good game, and he wins a free kick to cap that off with a goal GWS 14.9.93 Essendon 8.13.61
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Goal GWS Jeremy Cameron takes a good mark going back with the flight. He kicks his second major and puts the cherry on top as a little scuffle breaks out GWS 14.9.93 Essendon 7.13.55
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Some bronx cheers for Goddard as his kick goes out on the full. It's happened all too often today from a Bombers standpoint, especially in what has been a dirty second half for them
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
A break in play now as Coniglio is attended to, he receives a round of applause as he walks off the field
Mick
Guest
Cooney time to give it away if thats all you can do mate.
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
OUCH. Cooney rushes off the line in Lloyd-esque style and lays out Coniglio. He's been reported, and rightly so, may well have been a statement made too late
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Goal Essendon It's Daniher this time with another Essendon goal, they're making the scoreline a bit more respectable GWS 13.9.87 Essendon 7.13.55
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Goal Essendon Essendon put the Giants under the pump from the kickout and Howlett cleans up the mess to hit home a junk time goal GWS 13.9.87 Essendon 6.13.49
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Behind Essendon Davis slaps the long ball over the line for a rushed behind GWS 12.9.81 Essendon 5.13.43
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Goal GWS Palmer hands off to Coniglio, who moves well into the 50 and finishes the job with help from a shepherd from McCarthy GWS 13.9.87 Essendon 5.12.42
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
The game is well and truly dead, however both sides are giving it a decent crack late in this term
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Behind GWS The long kick to McCarthy is ineffective and goals over for a point GWS 12.9.81 Essendon 5.12.42
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Behind Essendon O'Brien misses this time as the ball fell to him inside 50 GWS 12.8.80 Essendon 5.12.42
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Zaharakis finds Cooney with a smart kick inside 50. He misses the lot once again with his shot, very disappointing from Essendon in that department today, as i have mentioned all to often
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Goal GWS McCarthy takes another mark inside 50 and kicks his second major with it. Danger of getting out to a rout now GWS 12.8.80 Essendon 5.11.41
Michael Alvaro
Roar Guru
Behind Essendon Goddard misses this time, his rushed shot never looked likely GWS 11.8.74 Essendon 5.11.41