The GWS Giants recorded an emphatic win over the Fremantle Dockers on Saturday, knocking them off by 92 points at Spotless Stadium.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
GWS Giants 19.15.129
Fremantle 5.7.37
After its most harrowing loss in team history, the GWS Giants will be keen to rebound against the struggling Fremantle Dockers. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:35pm (AEST).
GWS find themselves in unfamiliar territory on the ladder this week, sitting outside the top four for the first time in a month.
With last week’s loss still festering, the Giants will be looking to exact their revenge against the Eagles’ cross town rivals, as they try to remain in the hunt for a double chance.
Conversely, finals would be the last thing on the mind of the hapless Dockers, as they prepare for a tumultuous offseason. With numerous pending departures and alleged player unrest, Fremantle will be hoping to put aside the off-field drama as they prepare to commemorate David Mundy’s 250th game.
Unfortunately for Fremantle, Saturday’s match has all the hallmarks of a one-sided game.
The Giants rank second for scoring in the competition averaging 108 points per game. In contrast the Dockers have had trouble scoring all season, ranking a lowly 16th with 72 points per game. To further compound Fremantle’s problems, GWS also rank equal first for inside 50s (58 per game) while the Dockers rank dead last (45.9 per game).
However the Dockers aren’t totally devoid of goal scoring options.
After kicking five goals against the Crows last week, livewire forward Michael Walters should provide veteran defender Heath Shaw with a few problems on Saturday.
In the midfield, gear up for the clash of the hard nuts as skippers Callan Ward and milestone man David Mundy look set to battle all day, a contest which is sure to excite aficionados of contested ball.
In team news, after being knocked out by a sling tackle last week Adam Kennedy has had insult added to injury with the Giants selection panel dropping him from the team.
GWS have remained relatively unscathed on the injury front and despite their success this season, they are yet to settle on their best 22.
Not since round 6 and 7 have the Giants fielded the same team in consecutive weeks, showing the depth of their list.
For the Dockers, giant Aaron Sandilands will miss due to a gluteal injury and champion Matthew Pavlich has been rested before his swansong at home next week against the Western Bulldogs.
As is usually the case with the Giants, recent history between the two teams provides little insight for Saturday’s contest.
Before winning against the Dockers in Round 7 earlier this season, GWS were yet to register a win in their previous four contests against Fremantle. This will be the Dockers’ first game at Spotless Stadium.
Prediction
The matchup between the Giants and the Dockers is a game of contrasts. As Fremantle prepare to reassess and rebuild for season 2017, GWS are just two weeks away from a maiden finals campaign. With too much class and firepower all over the field, the Giants will win this match as easily as Usain Bolt wins gold medal.
Giants by 57 points.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
» Click here to read the full match report
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
FULL TIME The final siren sounds and ends the misery for the Dockers, as the Giants recapture some form and gain some percentage with a comprehensive 92 point win. Greater Western Sydney 19.15 (129) Fremantle 5.7 (37)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
The Giants will most likely fall short of the ton here but 92 point margin ain't too shabby. Scully skirts around the boundary to bend a banana through for a goal, splendid work from the former no.1 pick. GOAL GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY Greater Western Sydney 19.15 (129) Frematle 5.7 (37)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
He'll be thankful for the security of that 5 year contract now!
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Its all one way traffic at Spotless as the Giants are just taking pot shots at goal. A couple of behind add to their growing lead. BEHIND GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY Greater Western Sydney 18.14 (121) Fremantle 5.7 (37)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
It's party time at Spotless woth Lobb kicking a spectacular goal. Another centre clearance gets the Giants deep into their 50. Lobb crumbs the ball very close the boundary and snaps through a miracle goal. Clever work by the big man. GOAL GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY Greater Western Sydney 18.12 (120) Fremantle 5.6 (36)
XI
Roar Guru
Ross the Boss? More like Ross the Dross!
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Starting to get ugly here for the Dockers, as the Giants are now doing as they please. Stevie J finds Patton in a one on one contest who marks and kicks his sixth! GOAL GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY Greater Western Sydney 17.12 (114) Fremantle 5.6 (36)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
A quick centre clearance from the Giants and some smart blocking by Cameron, allows Greene to mark 40m out from goal. Greene kicks well to get this margin into blow out territory now. GOAL GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY Greater Western Sydney 16.11 (107) Fremantle 5.6 (36)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
A poor kick from Devon Smith into the forward 50 proves to be no problem for Stevie J as he collects the bobbling ball with one hand and snaps through a goal from 35! Vintage Stevie J! GOAL GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY Greater Western Sydney 15.11 (101) Fremantle 5.6 (36)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Coniglio marks a dart pass right on the 50. Looks to be unsure whether he can get the distance. In the end a good kick which just falls short as Fremantle punch it through. BEHIND GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY Greater Western Sydney 14.11 (95) Fremantle 5.6 (36)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Taberner caught holding the ball as he realised there was no one forward for Fremantle. As the Giants pump the ball back in to attack Patton is awarded a free kick as a Freo defender almost takes him out. Patton kicks his 5th for today which also happens to be the best return of his career. GOAL GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY Greater Western Sydney 14.10 (94) Fremantle 5.6 (36)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
A kick to Patton in the 50 attracts a crowd, but the pack completely overruns it! Hopper collects the ball before giving it to Whitfeild who runs into an open goal. GOAL GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY Greater Western Sydney 12.10 (82) Fremantle 5.6 (36)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Sorry for the break in action guys, unfortunately my internet has picked the best moment to do its best Richmond impression and let me down. So the remainder of the game will be blogged from my phone. Sorry for any delays. Meanwhile in the footy it is 3 quarter time at Spotless with the Giants extending their lead by 46. Greater Western Sydney 12.10 (82) Fremantle 5.6 (36)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
A good build up from the Giants culminates in a centring kick from Stevie J, as Devon Smith gathers and snaps but just doesn't bend enough. BEHIND GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY Greater Western Sydney 10.8 (68) Frematle 5.5 (35)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
After a slow start to begin the second half, the Giants have started to put the foot down. GWS have dominated all facets of the game this quarter and are now making the score board reflect it. Greater Western Sydney 10.7 (67) Frematle 5.5 (35)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
GWS starting to get rolling now as they have dominated time in the forward half. Lobb somehow manages to squeeze a kick out to a wide open Stevie J. Piece of cake for Stevie who makes no mistake. Not sure if the kick was intentional from Lobb as he was surrounded by about 15 players but the Giants will take it. GOAL GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY Greater Western Sydney 10.7 (67) Frematle 5.5 (35)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Patton finally breaks the deadlock, 7 and half minutes into the third. A great pack mark from Patton as he goals from point blank range. GOAL GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY Greater Western Sydney 9.7 (61) Frematle 5.5 (35)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
The slow start to the 3rd quarter continues, with the ball being largely kept in the Giants half. Could be good practice for the Giants to win ugly as the finals quickly approach. Greater Western Sydney 8.7 (55) Frematle 5.4 (34)
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
More of the same sloppy football to start the second half, as the highlights include a dropped mark from Shaw and a fresh air handball from Stevie J. Greater Western Sydney 8.7 (55) Frematle 5.4 (34)