Most will see this as an incredible upset, but from the opening minutes of this match it simply looked like one very good side effectively demolishing a much less accomplished team.
REPORT: GIANTS FLOG HAWKS BY 75
Obviously we know the history of these two sides doesn’t bear that out, but no newcomer to the sport would believe you if you told them it was the team in white and gold that were the three-time reigning premiers, and the guys in orange had never so much as played finals.
Make no mistake, there has been a seismic shift in the power balance in this league. It’s been coming for a few weeks, and tonight it was made abundantly clear.
The Giants set the tone by completely dominating the first quarter, racking up a six-goal lead. The Hawks rallied a bit in the second, but couldn’t make any real inroads on that margin. The Giants simply breezed away in the third to push a 45-point margin out to 64 at three quarter time, and then 75 at games end.
The Giants won every quarter. In fact, they won everything there was to win. They had 99 more disposals, won almost three times as many stoppages, 39 more contested possessions, and even 22 more tackles for good measure. Inside 50s ended up about even but there was an enormous difference in the purpose with which the Giants pumped the ball forward and the Hawks’ scrappy kicks into a deep flank.
It started in the middle. Led by Dylan Shiel, the Giants controlled the clearances, and when given the opportunity would fire it far into the forwardline, where Lobb, Cameron and Patton were waiting. Even when they couldn’t mark – and Lobb seemed able to mark almost anything this evening – once it was on the ground the Hawks simply couldn’t find an effective clearance. The defensive pressure of GWS forced them into numerous turnovers in their back half, which usually resulted in goals. This was a feature of the game pretty much from beginning to end.
At the other side of the ground, Heath Shaw seemed to always be near the ball when the Hawks did manage to get it forward of half way. The other GWS defenders – Haynes, Wilson, Patfull, Buntine and Davis – played cameo parts in the Shaw show, but were all useful at different times.
For his part, Jack Gunston was one Hawk who still performed well against the onslaught, finishing with five goals. But most Hawthorn players will be disappointed with their individual output, particularly Smith, Birchall, Lewis and Shiels, who were far down on their best. The story tonight is the Giants, but there are a few worries for Hawthorn as well.
This is the culmination of a very good month of footy by GWS. Last year they started well – although not this well – before fading after about round 8. I don’t think that’s going to happen this year. I think they’re going to be a big factor in season 2016.
Final score
GWS Giants 24.14 (158)
Hawthorn Hawks 12.11 (83)
The AFL’s newest team takes on the AFL’s most successful team, as the GWS Giants host the Hawthorn Hawks at Spotless Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 16:35pm AEST.
No matter which team you support, no footy fan could help but be curious about today’s match-up.
The Giants, with their powerful squad full of the best young talent in the land, aspire to be the best team in the land. Hawthorn, after three consecutive premierships, are there already.
Conventional wisdom says there will be a point where the rising stars overtake the ageing powerhouse, but no one knows when exactly.
GWS may have won this fixture last season, but no one could reasonably argue that reflected the true state of the two teams in 2015.
But this year there is a sense that the gap has narrowed considerably.
The Giants have generally been impressive, and won their two most recent matches in convincing fashion.
Hawthorn have had one of the toughest possible draws, and come through with an impressive 4-1 record, but three one-kick wins in a row suggests they might be getting closer to a loss.
Travelling interstate to play a confident, in-form opponent might well be a tough ask.
That said, there’s no denying the quality of the visitors.
Sam Mitchell at thirty-three years of age is in imperious form. Josh Gibson has been impenetrable at the back. Paul Puopolo is fresh off the best game of his career.
The Giants, for their part, have been buoyed by the excellent form of Tom Scully and Stephen Coniglio, while Greene and Cameron were devastating up forward against the Saints.
For mine, the most intriguing battle today will be across Hawthorn’s half forwardline.
Nathan Wilson, Zac Williams and Heath Shaw give the Giants tremendous drive from the back, while Cyril Rioli, Luke Breust and Paul Puopolo are adept at stopping opponents from doing exactly that. This may be where the game is decided.
At selection, the Giants lose Devon Smith to injury, replaced by Rhys Palmer. Hawthorn drop Billy Hartung along with the injured Will Langford, replaced by Daniel Howe and debutant Kieran Lovell.
Forget cliches about ‘knowing how to win’, Hawthorn are simply a very good footy team. But they’re up against another good team today. Purely on form, I’ll back GWS to edge out the Hawks, but not with a lot of confidence.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 16:35pm AEST.
Beny Iniesta
Guest
So Gold Coast v GWS Grand Final. Obviously the Suns have the edge in experience with an extra year under their belt.
Beny Iniesta
Guest
Do people here think The Gold Coast Suns were given too many draft concessions and the AFL has potentially created a monster because of the draft concessions?
Penster
Guest
I was sweating in my scarf last night Maggie, reminiscing about cold Melbourne winter days when sunscreen for a night match was unheard of. Before the sun went down, it was blistering hot. And the beer taps jammed at the bar closest to me, so I watched my team get thrashed, completely sober. It just ain't cricket.
peter chrisp
Guest
What a stunning result great to see couldn't happen to a better club, the great thing too a number of clubs now can almost match it with The Hawks good stuff
Pope Paul VII
Guest
This was more like a bashing of the guard Christo.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
Was this game a 'changing of the guard' moment? It's difficult to see the Hawks making another GF this year, but the Giants should be in the finals for the first time. When they're on song, there's no better team to watch than GWS at the moment...
JR Salazar
Guest
#FreeiKickHawthorn
JR Salazar
Guest
Need a drink?
Pope Paul VII
Guest
GWS = Global Warming Sydney? free kick Hawthorn
Samantha
Roar Rookie
And just like that the Cats 13 point loss to GWS a few rounds back doesn't seem so bad.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Was an awesome experience being there today. The Giants beat Hawthorn last year, but not like that. From the start it was a one-sided demolition. The development of Rory Lobb this year has been exceptional. Taken in the same draft as Cam McCarthy, may not have got his chance has McCarthy been there - but he has made the most of his chance and having a super-tall target like him has been another string to the Giants' bow. But what we're seeing is a seriously good football team. The midfield will just run all day, and even Ryan Griffen's absence was barely noticed as the likes of Dylan Shiel & Lachie Whitfield ran riot. And up forward, Stevie J has shown himself to be an excellent recruit for the Giants. And on our side of the fence, a record non-derby crowd. Still modest by AFL standards at 13,700ish; but trending in the right way.
AL
Guest
This is a teaqm in which the afl is geared to win by being given all the advantages. There is nothing wow about this as it is not a level playing field.
justinr
Guest
Everyone is going berserk about this on social media, so here is a bit of perspective: GWS (2012-16) Played 94, Won 24, Lost 70. Finals played: 0. Also -- West Coast (3 flags in 29 seasons), Adelaide (2 flags in 25 seasons), Brisbane Bears & Lions (3 flags in 29 seasons), Port (1 flag in 19 seasons), Sydney (2 flags in 34 seasons), Fremantle (no flags in 21 seasons), Gold Coast (no finals).
TomC
Roar Guru
Nope, not redundant. Very interesting in fact. Thanks for that, Maggie.
TomC
Roar Guru
Votes Very tough tonight. Six GWS players stood out, but I can only pick three. 3. Dylan Shiel - It began with Shiel. He was the dominant player in the opening stages of the game when GWS got on top, and was the game's best player at stoppages over the duration. He finished with 34 touches and 8 clearances. 2. Heath Shaw - Cleaned up in the backline with authority, working to get to every defensive contest. 32 possessions, eleven marks, and nine rebound 50s. 1. Steve Johnson - He had five goals to half time and was the game's best player at that stage. When the Hawks made their run in the second quarter he was the one to step up for GWS. He didn't have the same impact in the second half but deserves to be among the votes. Lobb, Coniglio and Whitfield were superb, and could easily replace the three above. Greene and Ward also excellent. Gunston was the Hawks' best with four goals.
Maggie
Guest
I haven't read through all Tom's comments here so the following comment may be redundant. But it has been a very very humid and unpleasant day here in Sydney. I think one factor in the size of the loss by Hawthorn is that they were physically spent by the combination of the effort spent in winning three games in a row by 3 points + the energy-sapping weather today. Just walking around the city wore me out!
TomC
Roar Guru
Match review Most will see this as an incredible upset, but from the opening minutes of this match it simply looked like one very good side effectively demolishing a much less accomplished team. Obviously we know the history of these two sides doesn't bear that out, but no newcomer to the sport would believe you if you told them it was the team in white and gold that were the three-time reigning premiers, and the guys in orange had never so much as played finals. Make no mistake, there has been a seismic shift in the power balance in this league. It's been coming for a few weeks, and tonight it was made abundantly clear. The Giants set the tone by completely dominating the first quarter, racking up a six goal lead. The Hawks rallied a bit in the second, but couldn't make any real inroads on that margin. The Giants simply breezed away in the third to push a 45 point margin out to 64 at three quarter time, and then 75 at games end. The Giants won every quarter. In fact, they won everything there was to win. They had 99 more disposals, won almost three times as many stoppages, 39 more contested possessions, and even 22 more tackles for good measure. Inside 50s ended up about even but there was an enormous difference in the purpose with which the Giants pumped the ball forward and the Hawks' scrappy kicks into a deep flank. It started in the middle. Led by Dylan Shiel, the Giants controlled the clearances, and when given the opportunity would fire it far into the forwardline, where Lobb, Cameron and Patton were waiting. Even when they couldn't mark - and Lobb seemed able to mark almost anything this evening - once it was on the ground the Hawks simply couldn't find an effective clearance. The defensive pressure of GWS forced them into numerous turnovers in their back half, which usually resulted in goals. This was a feature of the game pretty much from beginning to end. At the other side of the ground, Heath Shaw seemed to always be near the ball when the Hawks did manage to get it forward of half way. The other GWS defenders - Haynes, Wilson, Patfull, Buntine and Davis - played cameo parts in the Shaw show, but were all useful at different times. For his part, Jack Gunston was one Hawk who still performed well against the onslaught, finishing with five goals. But most Hawthorn players will be disappointed with their individual output, particularly Smith, Birchall, Lewis and Shiels, who were far down on their best. The story tonight is the Giants, but there are a few worries for Hawthorn as well. This is the culmination of a very good month of footy by GWS. Last year they started well - although not this well - before fading after about round 8. I don't think that's going to happen this year. I think they're going to be a big factor in season 2016.
Maggie
Guest
Wow, just wow!
TomC
Roar Guru
TomC
Roar Guru
And that's full time. GWS Giants 24.14.158 Hawthorn 12.11.83 That is the highest score the Giants have ever recorded in a single match, and the highest score the Hawks have conceded since 2005.