The GWS Giants have taken ultimate bragging rights in the Sydney Derby, demolishing the Sydney Swans by 49 points in an elimination final at the SCG.
The heat was on early, the players were on edge and the physicality of the match started as soon as the final note of the national anthem was sung. As expected, the first quarter of this clash was a tight contest.
In the second term it became apparent the Swans were simply weathering the Giant storm, Papley scored the first goal, but Sydney failed to score after that.
The Giants put on two goals through one of this week’s inclusions Matt de Boer and tall-forward Harry Himmelberg, and the lead was 15 points at the main break.
At half-time the chat was all about how the Swans would respond, considering the last time the sides played they ran over the top of GWS.
But the Giants rolled the Swans, kicking six goals in a row in the second half and twelve behinds in between.
The Swans managed just two behinds in the third term and then two goals late in the fourth to reach a woeful 30 points for the game.
Phil Davis held Lance Franklin goalless and dominated the Swans’ spearhead forward; the Giants “awesome foursome” inclusions played their role, a three-goal haul for Toby Greene the best of the bunch.
Davis’ co-captain Callan Ward (29 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 7 clearances), Stephen Coniglio (27 disposals, 13 contested, 1 goal) and Dylan Shiel (23 disposals, 6 clearances) controlled the midfield for GWS.
The Swans best were difficult to find in such a poor performance; Aliir Aliir intercepted everything to begin with, but couldn’t continue his influence all night, while Josh Kennedy (27 disposals) and Dan Hannebery (24 disposals) did their best to lift their team, with no great affect.
It was a tough night for the 40,350 (predominately Sydney) fans at the SCG, but at least they got to witness the Ferrari kick into finals-gear and it was brilliant to watch.
The win was overshadowed by concerns about Josh Kelly’s right knee.
The midfielder limped off at the end of the first term after a contest, and did not return to the field, despite best efforts to strap it and continue. GWS will wait on scans to determine the extent of the damage.
For the Swans, their season is over. Tonight was poor, and their form at home this season has been really disappointing.
Whether Dan Hannebery will be in the red and white in 2019 is just one of the many questions to be answered in Sydney’s off-season, that kicks off tomorrow.
Who do the Giants face next week? Tonight’s clash will decide their opponent; a West Coast loss will hand them a trip to Optus Stadium, but should West Coast win, GWS will head to the MCG to face Collingwood.
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