- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
The GWS Giants have avoided a major upset with a hard fought 27-point win over the Essendon Bombers at Etihad Stadium.
RE-LIVE ALL THE ACTION WITH OUR LIVE BLOG
In a game that many thought would be a blowout the Bombers put in a gallant performance for three quarters but they just couldn’t quite go with the skilful Giants in the final term.
Under the roof at Etihad Stadium it looked as if the Giants were on their game when they peppered the goals early but seven behinds in a row left the door open for the Bombers.
John Worsfold’s men took this chance and began controlling the contest against their more fancied opponents and despite missing a couple of late shots before the break they still went into quarter time with a 10-point lead thanks to a late goal from Joe Daniher.
The Bombers continued to take it right up to the GWS players who looked sluggish in the second stanza. One Essendon youngster who was showing his talent was Orazio Fantasia, who was the most dangerous forward on the ground in the first half.
A couple of late misses by Fantasia ensured the margin stayed at just 12 points at half time much to the relief of the Giants.
After trading behinds early in the second half Toby Greene kicked the first goal for the Giants and this momentum continued when first-gamer Matthew Kennedy managed to kick two quick goals.
Despite the Giants dominating the term, a late goal to Fantasia narrowed the margin to just eight points in favour of the Giants at the final break.
After going blow for blow for the first half of the final stanza, Greene stepped up for GWS and changed the game with three last quarter goals.
This was made possible by Stephen Coniglio who was getting on top around the stoppages and a late goal by the midfielder sealed a 27-point win for his team after they were made to work extremely hard for it.
The win sees the Giants slot into fifth position on the ladder just a game outside the top four while the Bombers still sit on the bottom of the table level with the Lions on one win.
The Giants will be looking to put in a more decisive performance when they face Carlton in round 14 while Essendon will be looking to make the most of the bye to refresh some tired bodies.
Final score
Essendon Bombers 12.18 90
GWS Giants 17.15 117
The Roar’s AFL MVP votes
He started his career as a midfielder but Toby Greene seems to have found his niche at half forward and he was influential once again in getting the Giants over the line with a match winning 22 disposals, four goals, 11 score involvements, and seven inside 50s.
The battle in the midfield was riveting in this game and it was Stephen Coniglio who helped the Giants gain the ascendancy after half time as he tallied 29 disposals, three goal assists, seven tackles, eight clearances and a goal.
While there were a lot of contributors for the Bombers, David Zaharakis was a workhorse in the midfield against the highly touted GWS on-ball brigade and he finished with 25 possessions, eight score involvements, five tackles and six clearances.
Votes
3 Toby Greene
2 Stephen Coniglio
1 David Zaharakis
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.