The GWS Giants have prevailed in their elimination final match up against the Western Bulldogs, defeating their disappointing Victorian rivals by 58 points.
With the Doggies producing one of their most lacklustre performances in months, a strong Giants outfit managed to dominate much of the game and win through to next week’s semi-finals.
The Giants doubled their opponents’ inside fifty counts, out-tackled and out-possessed their overawed rivals, in a sharp turn around from both 2016’s preliminary final and their Round 22 clash, both won by the Bulldogs.
A first-quarter dominated by the Giants set the tone for the game, with only frustrating inaccuracy preventing them from opening up a wider lead.
The Dogs, as many expected, fought their way back into a clash – aided by the Giants’ inaccuracy – and closed the gap to under a goal twice within the second and third stanzas, but were unable to snatch the lead at any point and watched as a slick Giants team opened up their margins again.
The Bulldogs’ best phase of play was a three-goal purple patch in the latter stages of the second term in which they showcased the barnstorming play that won them a position in finals – but, they were unable to keep up the momentum.
A one-score final quarter buried the Dogs for the final time, with the Giants piling on three final goals – and a heap of inaccurate misses – to blow out the margin.
Lachie Whitfield was far and away the Giants best, with 29 touches and a stunning opening term major, while Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto also accumulated plenty of the footy.
Heath Shaw’s 25 touches made him a rock in the backline, while I thoroughly enjoyed Toby Greene’s bombastic clash. Greene, Josh Kelly and Jeremy Finlayson all booted three majors, while Coleman Medallist Jeremy Cameron scored an inaccurate 2.3.
Jack Macrae was the Bulldogs best in a losing effort, with an admirable 32 touches leading all comers. He had support from Pat Lipinski and Lachie Hunter, but Josh Dunkley and Marcus Bontempelli had extremely disappointing games.
Aaron Naughton – who failed to play out the game after suffering a serious knee injury – booted two majors, with no other Bulldog booting more than one.
The Giants will face either Brisbane or Richmond away next weekend, while the Dogs’ stunning finals berth comes to an end before it really ever began.
GWS Giants 16.17.113
Western Bulldogs 8.6.54
Kevo
Roar Rookie
Fake news - never heard of a club called Hawthorn - 2008 premiers but missed finals 2009 and 2010 - then made GF 2012, and premiers 2013,14 and 15. At least get your facts right.
Angela
Roar Rookie
@ sour grapes IAP, diddums, the fairy tale has ended, this is the Dogs goodbye. Giants are a new team and will build support slowly but strongly over the next decade. We non-Victorian states understand how the Victorians want the game all to themselves but it is not to be. Us outsiders will continue to build and thrash the soviet Victorians down the centuries to come. Do you suppose for a second anyone outside Victoria will be watching a Richmond/Collingwood GF? Ho-hum boring.
josh
Guest
You honestly don't believe they're making inroads do you ?
clipper
Roar Rookie
Interestingly, the AFL game got better tv ratings than the NRL game at the same time in QLD, so perhaps it's not just crowd numbers and tv ratings.
IAP
Guest
Meh, it's only footy. I just don't like being beaten by a "product" rather than an actual football club.
Slane
Guest
A GWS flag will cost me thousands. Don't be so cruel ;-P
EaglesMan
Roar Rookie
IAP a tad upset mate they gave you a belting mate move on. Maybe you’re bulldogs are not as good as you think
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
I'm surprised Greene is the only one cited. Cameras clearly showed Himmelberg punch Bontempelli in the guts off the ball, the Bont doubled over in pain for 30 seconds then fought on again. Every time he was on the bottom of the pack, multiple GWS players at once were forcefully pushing their forearms into his head (which I guess will get off), running their fists down and across his face (which I guess will get off) and trying their hands and fists were disappearing into his midrift. I call that stuff cheap shots, not front-on bumps when a bloke is kicking the ball.
Extra Short Leg
Roar Rookie
We'll agree to disagree but I believe the larynx is above the shoulder. What about the Lin Jong hit on Buntine? My point is, all teams have players who do stupid things. Just heard Toby Greene has been cited for eye gouging.
Freddy
Guest
...do a recount @Cracka
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Haha. Well then you have very creative interpretation of a cheap shot for a front-on bump in play!
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Brisbane did it all except score goals. If they’ve got their nerves out of the way, I expect that to change this week against the Giants. GWS may have played their “best ” game. Then Lions eat Pies.Maybe.
Extra Short Leg
Roar Rookie
Yes
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Have you watched footage of that 'incident'? I suspect not.
XI
Roar Guru
What a sook.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
Its a question, How do you measure success, premierships?, wins?, position on the ladder? You the eagles and Bulldogs have won a premiership each in the last 4 years, what makes your 2 teams any different? Carlton has won 16 premierships, so has Essendon, Collingwood 15, Hawthorn 13, Melbourne 12, Richmond 11, Geelong 9, Fitzroy/Brisbane 8, Sth/Sydney 5, Nth/K'roos 4, WEST COAST EAGLES 4 - 12 behind the leaders (this is a fact), and so on.
EaglesMan
Roar Rookie
iap mate no comments after your dogs were belted I thought you’re midfield was invincible
EaglesMan
Roar Rookie
I say premierships we have won 4 in 32 years that is one every 8 years. For me that is pretty good. Also played finals in 24 of 32 seasons. The hawks have won 5 in the same period.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
What is success measured by? premierships, wins, position on the ladder,???? In the days before the AFL (in the VFL) it was all about premierships, now some people think its how many games you win...a season. I give you an example in the last 15 years Carlton has won 1 finals game and Essendon none...so who has been the most successful club in 15 years? How do you measure success?
EaglesMan
Roar Rookie
Fair enough but the eagles have been a successful club over a sustainable period and yes if we don’t win it this year it is a failure given our list I can cop that