The GWS Giants have added another win to their ledger and entered the AFL’s top four with a 62-point win over the Carlton Blues on Saturday.
Final score
GWS Giants – 18.19 (127)
Carlton – 9.11 (65)
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Two of this season’s biggest improvers go head-to-head this afternoon, as the finals-bound Greater Western Sydney Giants host the resurgent Carlton Blues. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:35pm (AEST).
Injuries cut down the Giants a season ago, but in 2016 it looks as if nothing will stop the orange tide from reaching September, and perhaps even going all the way.
At 9-4 with a very healthy percentage, GWS have become one of the hardest teams in the AFL to play against – especially at their home of Spotless Stadium.
The Olympic Park venue has become a house of horrors for other teams this year, with the Giants winning all four games by an average of 58 points.
Given Sydney, Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs were three of those four opponents, that statistic becomes downright frightening.
Carlton may not be in the thick of the finals race, but they’re certainly one of the form teams of the competition at the moment, having won six of their last eight games.
A disappointing loss to St Kilda in Round 12 would have stung the Blues all throughout the long bye week, and they’ll be desperate to put in a much-improved performance as they head into the second half of the season.
The Blues have only travelled interstate twice this season, but their last venture outside Victoria was a spirited win over Fremantle.
Interestingly, Carlton is the only team GWS currently enjoy a lifetime winning percentage against, with three of the five contests in this young rivalry going the Giants’ way.
GWS have equal records against Gold Coast (4-4), St Kilda (3-3) and Brisbane (2-2), but have only surpassed .500 against the Blues.
Prediction
Both of these teams have bright futures ahead, but GWS look to be a serious contender this year, and should get the job at done at the fortress they call home.
Giants by 43 points.
Stirling Coates
Editor
Click here to read the full match report from this game What's next? Follow our St Kilda vs Geelong live blog GWS GIANTS v CARLTON THE ROAR AFL MVP VOTES 3 VOTES - Dylan Shiel (GWS) - Superb from start to finish, racking up a game-high 34 disposals to go with nine clearances, five inside 50s and two goals. 2 VOTES - Callan Ward (GWS) - The GWS skipper continues to lead from the front, collecting 33 touches, 12 clearances and five inside 50s. 1 VOTE - Steve Johnson (GWS) - Back to his dangerous best after a week off, with a four-goal haul accompanied by 22 disposals and six marks.
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GWS GIANTS v CARLTON FULL TIME REPORT GWS Giants - 18.19 (127) Carlton - 9.11 (65) GOAL KICKERS Giants: Johnson 4, Cameron 3, Shiel 2, Kelly 2, Patton, Williams, Whitfield, Scully, Coniglio, Lobb, Greene Blues: Walker 3, Wright 2, Simpson, Everitt, Tutt, White DISPOSAL LEADERS Giants: Shiel 34, Ward 33, Coniglio 31 Blues: Docherty 30, Gibbs 29, Curnow 26 TEAM STATS Disposals: Giants 379, Blues 353 Contested Possessions: Giants 151, Blues 126 Tackles: Blues 87, Giants 67 Inside 50s: Giants 65, Blues 42 Clearances: Giants 45, Blues 35
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Editor
SIREN A breathtaking seven-goal to two final quarter saw the Giants see off a gallant challenge from Carlton and emerge 62-point victors. It took some time for GWS to shake off the Blues, but in the end they'll take a healthy percentage boost in their 10th win of the season. GWS - 18.19 (127) CAR - 9.11 (65) FULL TIME
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Editor
Matthew Kreuzer and Andrew Phillips have done very well to hold their own against the vaunted ruck duo of Shane Mumford and Rory Lobb. The hit-out count just 49-48 in the Giants' favour. GWS - 18.19 (127) CAR - 9.11 (65) Q4: 2'
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Editor
GOAL BLUES Penetrating kick inside 50 for Carlton, and Simon White is able to pluck in among two GWS defenders. Kicking for Carlton's second goal of the quarter, he puts it through from 20 out. GWS - 18.19 (127) CAR - 9.11 (65) Q4: 3'
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Editor
GOAL GIANTS Jeremy Cameron bobs up for this third goal of the night. Zac Williams with a strong kick to the forward pocket picked up by Toby Greene, and his handball over the back is a beauty. Cameron gathers, unleashes a trademark left foot snap and it splits the middle. GWS - 18.19 (127) CAR - 8.11 (59) Q4: 5'
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Editor
GOAL GIANTS GWS just playing for the percentage at the moment, and this kick inside 50 is marked strongly for a short player by Toby Greene. Kicking from 45 out on a moderate angle, he bends back around the far post nicely and the margin is now out to 62 points. GWS - 17.19 (121) CAR - 8.11 (59) Q4: 5'
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Editor
Steve Johnson's quest for a fifth goal has become something of a running gag in this last quarter. Very close on a number of opportunities and has inadvertently set up his teammates on a number of occasions. GWS - 16.19 (115) CAR - 8.11 (59) Q4: 7'
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Editor
BEHIND BLUES Matthew Wright with a hurried shot out of the congestion inside forward 50 but it rolls off to the left. GWS - 16.19 (115) CAR - 8.11 (59) Q4: 8'
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Editor
Matt Buntine has emerged on the GWS bench with ice on the hamstring. Would like to keep their best defenders on the park if possible. GWS - 16.19 (115) CAR - 8.10 (58) Q4: 8'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL GIANTS Full party time for GWS now. Strolling up the corridor with a bit too much ease, they get it to Josh Kelly on 50 and his strike of the ball just from just inside the arc sails through for another Giants goal! Five to one this quarter. GWS - 16.19 (115) CAR - 8.10 (58) Q4: 9'
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Editor
GOAL GIANTS Dylan Shiel with a deft sidestep to throw two Carlton chasers off the scent, before running a bit more up the pocket and just guiding the ball through the posts for a highlight-reel goal late. GWS - 15.19 (109) CAR - 8.10 (58) Q4: 9'
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Editor
Jeremy Cameron throws his boot at a ball that's traveled out of bounds and it rolls through for what would've been goal of the millennium. Should have been a free against Cameron for time wasting, but the crowd loved it. GWS - 14.19 (103) CAR - 8.10 (58) Q4: 10'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL GIANTS GWS go coast to coast, and the long kick to the forward pocket is marked by Rory Lobb. He hands off to Jeremy Cameron on his own in the goal square and he slams through his second goal on what's been a frustrating evening for him. GWS - 14.19 (103) CAR - 8.10 (58) Q4: 11'
Stirling Coates
Editor
BEHIND BLUES Carlton get it up the corridor, and the kick inside 50 finds Levi Casboult on the lead. Kicking from 35 out, directly in front, he puts it out to the left. GWS - 13.19 (97) CAR - 8.10 (58) Q4: 13'
Stirling Coates
Editor
BEHIND GIANTS GWS continuing to seal the deal in installments. Carlton kick lands out on the full, with Ryan Griffen receiving the free kick, but his snap off the outside of the boot from 35 misses narrowly to the near side. GWS - 13.19 (97) CAR - 8.9 (57) Q4: 14'
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Editor
GOAL BLUES Andrew Walker continues his hard work, wrapping up Lachie Whitfield in the forward pocket and winning the free kick. Nervous set shot from 20 out on a tight angle, he slots it and Carlton reel the margin back within 40 points. GWS - 13.18 (96) CAR - 8.9 (57) Q4: 14'
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Editor
BEHIND GIANTS Rhys Palmer takes the mark behind the centre circle, but gets a 50-metre penalty after Sam Rowe encroaches the protected area. Kicking from 40 out, directly in front, his kick sprays out to the right. GWS - 13.18 (96) CAR - 7.9 (51) Q4: 16'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GWS have spent a whopping 95% of the final quarter in their forward half of the ground. Very disappointing final quarter effort from Carlton. GWS - 13.17 (95) CAR - 7.9 (51) Q4: 16'
Stirling Coates
Editor
GOAL GIANTS GWS win the free kick for a high tackle inside 50, but Dylan Shiel has already taken the advantage and his hurried kick from 40 out sails through. GWS - 13.17 (95) CAR - 7.9 (51) Q4: 17'