The Giants have survived a massive rally from the Cats to come away with a 13-point win at Manuka Oval.
REPORT: JOHNSON STEPS UP IN GIANT WIN
The Cats kicked five goals in a row to bring the margin back to six points, but they couldn’t kick another one over the last eleven minutes of the game.
Ryan Griffen kicked the sealing goal inside the final minute, and the Giants can exorcise some of the Demons from Week 1.
Tom Scully was immense in this game, as his gut running was a feature of the second half. He finished with 32 disposals and a goal in a best-on-ground performance.
Corey Enright lead all Cats with 24 disposals, while Tom Hawkins kicked three goals to keep his side in the contest.
Final score
GWS 13.11.89
Geelong 11.10.76
The Greater Western Sydney Giants were chased down at the final hurdle last weekend, and their quest for a first win in 2016 doesn’t get any easier when the much improved Geelong Cats come to Manuka Oval. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 1:10pm (AEST).
The Giants played three quarters of really good footy last weekend, but a fourth-quarter fadeout saw them lose a two-point thriller to the Demons.
Coach Leon Cameron will be left to wonder what could have been, as the Giants were extremely inaccurate (10.18), a significant factor in the loss.
Callan Ward and Tom Scully controlled the middle of the ground for long periods, while former Cat Steve Johnson popped up for two goals.
The Cats won a pulsating game against the Hawks on Easter Monday, using accuracy early, and Patrick Dangerfield late, to come away with the five-goal win. It wasn’t all perfect however, as the Cats’ horrendous third-quarter will have coach Chris Scott concerned.
The aforementioned Dangerfield was brilliant with 43 disposals, however three easy misses in front of goal kept him from being perfect.
The Giants have one official change, with James Stewart being omitted for this clash, but more are expected as both Will Hoskin-Elliott and Stephen Coniglio have been named in the starting 18. Jonathan Patton could also see his first action of 2016, while Zac Williams has also been named on an extended bench.
The Cats haven’t named any changes at this stage, but Josh Cowan, George Horlin-Smith and Daniel Menzel have been added to an extended bench.
These two midfields promise an intriguing battle, as both sides have gun players across the board.
If the Giants can keep the influence of Dangerfield to a minimum, they’ll like their chances in this game.
Prediction
This is GWS side that has knocked off very good sides at home. Although the Cats looked incredible last weekend, that may have just been a Round 1 ambush against a well-known enemy.
If the Cats do the job in this one, I’ll be convinced, but I think the Giants will take the win.
Giants by 15.
Barb
Guest
Unfortunately Chris Scott has been unable to fix the one thing Alastair Clarkson has said about Geelong...Not tough enough, hard enough for long enough. How many years does he need to fix a problem that has been their downfall for so long. How much talent does he need to fix the problem? Either he cannot coach or the players aren't listening...which also means he cannot coach. Step up players or find a new coach. I understood last year without ruckman however the real underlying problem at Geelong is exactly what Alastair Clarkson said. As a passionate Cats fan I only hope the players can fix it because l am tired of all Chris Scott's same ole same ole. Come on Cats...with this list...no more of the same excuse.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
MVP VOTING 3. Tom Scully 2. Ryan Griffen 1. Shane Mumford
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
FULL TIME The Giants have survived a massive rally from the Cats to come away with a 13-point win at Manuka Oval. The Cats kicked five goals in a row to bring the margin back to six points, but they couldn't kick another one over the last eleven minutes of the game. Ryan Griffen kicked the sealing goal inside the final minute, and the Giants can exorcise some of the Demons from Week 1. Tom Scully was immense in this game, as his gut running was a feature of the second half. He finished with 32 disposals and a goal in a best-on-ground performance. Corey Enright lead all Cats with 24 disposals, while Tom Hawkins kicked three goals to keep his side in the contest. Thanks for joining me for this engaging clash. STATS Disposals: Giants 392-346 Free Kicks: Giants 23-10 Clearances: Giants 39-26 Inside 50: Giants 56-48 Contested Possessions: Giants 148-127 Tackles: Giants 54-48 Hit Outs: 41-28 Interchanges: Giants 81; Cats 72
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
0' Less than 30 seconds to go, and the Cats will break away from the middle. Stanley puts it very long, and Davis just punches it away. Now Bartel throws it on the left boot, but that won't reach the goal line, and Buntine clears the danger. There's the siren, and the Giants win!! FULL TIME GWS Giants 13.11 89 Geelong Cats 11.10 76
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL GIANTS 0' They're home!! Ryan Griffen puts a cherry on top of the performance, and the Giants will win!! Giants 13.11 89 Cats 11.10 76
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
1' Dangerfield breaks away from defensive 50, but he's run too far!!! Bad mistake! Griffen now marks inside 50, but surely the Giants are home now with less than a minute remaining. Giants 12.11 83 Cats 11.10 76
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
1' Patton has got the wrong side of the boot, and the ball is still in play. The Giants manage to get it out of bounds. The Cats have 1:23 to get down the other end. Giants 12.11 83 Cats 11.10 76
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
2' Steve Johnson beats Harry Taylor one-on-one, and now he finds Palmer deep in the pocket. He's going to have to get this one travelling at least 50. He just sets it up to the goal square, and Patton takes the grab!!! In between two Cats!! Giants 12.11 83 Cats 11.10 76
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND GIANTS 3' This is a great contest at the moment, and now the Giants manage to dispossess Gregson. Greene will send a chipping ball inside 50, and Rory Lobb takes the mark. His kick starts right, and stays there. Very handy point. Giants 12.11 83 Cats 11.10 76
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND GIANTS 4' Good contest at half-forward for the Cats, but the Giants' numbers win out, and now they can go forward. The kick in is beautiful, and Steve Johnson takes the mark!! This would be something, but he's missed to the left!! The Cats are still in it! Giants 12.10 82 Cats 11.10 76
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
5' The Giants have it deep in attack here, and a goal would be massive. Callan Ward trying to shake free here, but he's tackled out of bounds. The throw in is allowed to bounce, but Blicavs does enough to get it free. Davis puts it straight back in, and Zac Smith drops an easy mark. Giants 12.9 81 Cats 11.10 76
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
6' Callan Ward cops a shove in the back at half back, and he'll win a free. He finds Johnson at centre-wing, who in turn goes to Wilson at half forward. Just about to tick under six to go. Giants 12.9 81 Cats 11.10 76
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
7' Out on the full from Patton. He's been pretty ordinary in his first game. The Cats are just chipping it around their defence at the moment. Giants 12.9 81 Cats 11.10 76
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND CATS 7' Guthrie is away through the middle, and now Gregson is running into an open goal. He kicks from 30, but he's missed!! Giants 12.9 81 Cats 11.10 76
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND GIANTS 8' Free kick to Josh Kelly, and he can use Shaw to clear the 50. Now Scully is out on the wing, and he finds Greene at half forward. He swings it around the body to Scully, whose run has been very important today. He goes long to the goal-square, where it's punched through. Giants 12.9 81 Cats 11.9 75
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
9' Long kick from Whitfield goes out of bounds on the full. Dangerfield drops a mark at half forward, and that would have been very dangerous for the Giants. Giants 12.8 80 Cats 11.9 75
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
9' The Giants are slowing the game down now. They need to work themselves back into the contest. Giants 12.8 80 Cats 11.9 75
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND CATS 10' Dangerfield with a strong mark on the wing, and now a strong mark inside 50 from Kersten!! This kick is to tie the game, but he's missed to the left. Giants 12.8 80 Cats 11.9 75
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
11' Dangerfield sends the ball forward, but he can't hit Caddy. Now Shaw goes hard for the ball, and he gets taken high by Caddy, but no free kick blown. That's a let-off for Caddy. Giants 12.8 80 Cats 11.8 74
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL CATS 11' Rhys Stanley floats across the front for the mark!!! He's 30 from goal, and there's a straight kick in it!!! Giants 12.8 80 Cats 11.8 74