The GWS Giants have joined Geelong as semi-final winners in what should be proclaimed as the redemption weekend, savaging a brave but largely outmatched West Coast side by 67 points, and locking in their second consecutive preliminary finals appearance.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
GWS Giants 19.11.125
West Coast Eagles 9.4.58
The GWS Giants and the West Coast Eagles have a spot in a preliminary final on the line, but only one can go through to face the Richmond Tigers for a shot at the big dance.
Join The Roar for live scores from the match and a live blog of the first semi-final on Saturday evening at Spotless Stadium, starting from 7:25pm AEST.
Last week GWS got beat up quite badly at Adelaide Oval – the Crows kicked a mountain of goals on them in the second quarter and after that the second half was yawn-inspiring.
Injury was added to insult during the week when it was confirmed that both Jeremy Cameron and Shane Mumford were ruled out for the year due to injury – a more important pair of Giants you would struggle to find.
As for West Coast, a few weeks ago none though they would make finals, but twice in a row they have just narrowly scraped through.
They finished in the top eight by a margin of just 0.2 per cent, and then last week won through over Port Adelaide in an elimination final only following an after-the-siren goal from Luke Shuey, which itself came after an extra-time period.
It wouldn’t be a shock for the Eagles, after living on the edge so long, to come into this one a bit flat – of course, if they can maintain their intensity and desire to survive, then just about anything could happen.
Prediction
There’s every chance the Giants come out and, with the home ground advantage on the side, simply mop the floor with their opponents. That said… I like to live dangerously.
West Coast Eagles by 5.
Join The Roar for live scores from the match and a live blog of the first semi-final between the GWS Giants and the West Coast Eagles on Saturday evening at Spotless Stadium, starting from 7:25pm AEST.
clipper
Guest
Don't forget to mention that AFL finals tickets are twice the price, so they would've still made more money, but get your point - poor crowd at GWS
Ac
Guest
Good to see the NRL have a win ! With the roosters playing cowboys next week they won't win next week.
Bob
Guest
A Freo fan perhaps? They finished 8th and in the end better than the Dons and Port and equal to Sydney, so they finished about 5th in a finals sense. therefore theres 10-13 teams worse than them. your comments seem a little hysterical. What's there to be embarrassed about. It's a team in need of a rebuild or overhaul, which is about to happen very soon.
Razzle Dazzle
Guest
LOL why cant WCE fans admit its an average team including recruiting? They read too many puff stuff in The West. How did Mitchell add value this yr? Redden overrated, Hill, Le Cras useless, Priddis too slow no wonder was put out to pasture. Only embarressed WA if you support them!
Ha
Guest
GOLD!!!! NRL Semi Finals Crowds – 79,910 – AFL Semi Finals Crowds – 70,394.
Deano
Guest
Well done Eagles. Well done Priddis, Mitchell and Petrie. Now looking forward to a rebuild and a reshuffle and a reboot! Next stop the draft and trade season. Have a funny feeling the Giants wont get to or win the Big Dance. Crows, Tigers, Cats.
XI
Roar Guru
Sure did. Loved it.
Deano
Guest
Are you trolling? Their season looked over and they managed to go two rounds into the finals, after what was a patched up inconsistent season anyway. Plus with Port they delivered one of the most exciting rounds of the finals. With the benefit of hindsight, putting fans dreams and expectations aside, the reality was, they played a dead rubber at home, against the crows, with three of crows best players out. Then they were over-run for half the game in Adelaide, barely scoring, and really, they should've lost that game, but due to inaccurate kicking on Ports side and a couple of flukey and Lukey chances, they won. Tonight they were clearly tired and lacked run, all that travel does take it's toll. It was what it was, and to expect anything more was fairytale stuff. The Bulldogs had a different set of determining factors going into the finals, being based on the east coast certainly helped. so to criticise the Eagles is either low form or just shows a lack of understanding.
Buddy
Guest
Disgraceful effort by WCE..embarrassed the State... expect the calls for Sumich to replace Simpson will resume
Leon 6
Guest
GWS after a loss and then beating the Eagles at home are hardly flag favourites....Richmond will comfortably beat them next week...GWS poor record too significant to ingnore at the G
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Maybe! You go to the game tonight, I'm guessing? No doubt it was a great experience for ya!
BigAl
Guest
Something special ? - it was exectly how I thought the game would pan out. GWS obviously has the best list in the AFL with many players having exquisite skills and Stevie J providing a bit of grunt. WCE fell over the line twice to reach this game and it was obvious that they would by be found out in spades by GWS at their home ground. However I am predicting GWS take a pounding next week at the G !
XI
Roar Guru
Maybe I'll get to see the Giants in the GF? Probably not but maybe...
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
No problem, mate. Next week's prelims are going to be huge.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Well said, Matti. As a Freo fan, I can't say a bad thing about your retiring three. Commiserations tonight, but I'll always remember last week's game. That will live in my mind for a long while. Good luck next season :)
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Thanks for the call, AD.
Leon 6
Guest
Beating the eagles at home is no warm-up for GWS against Richmond at the G... they have a pathetic record there and just don't have the minerals. Richmond, Geelong GF
Mattician6x6
Guest
Well done priddas, Mitch, Petrie, wellingham, lecras, butler, masten, you've been sensational and gave gotten the most out of your abilities
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
» Click here to read the full match report GWS Giants: 19.11 (125) West Coast: 9.4 (58)
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
FULL TIME GWS win by 67 points. They're headed to verse Richmond in a prelim next weekend! GWS Giants: 19.11 (125) West Coast: 9.4 (58)