Giants storm up ladder
GREATER Western Sydney has held off a fast-finishing Port Adelaide for a plucky 22point win to rise to sixth on the AFL ladder.
The Giants banked a sixth win from seven games, holding their nerve for a 11.14 (80) to 8.10 (58) win at Adelaide Oval yesterday.
Port blew a chance to rise into the top four: after scoring the opening goal, they conceded the next five.
The Giants, propelled by Jacob Hopper (two goals), Callan Ward (29 touches), Josh Kelly (30 disposals) and Lachie Whitfield, streeted to a 34-point lead 22 minutes into the third quarter.
But Port’s Charlie Dixon triggered an unheralded comeback, kicking three goals in 10 minutes while Robbie Gray (two goals) scored another.
Midway into the final quarter, the Power were within seven points. Port
H. Himmelberg, J. Hopper, T. Greene 2, A. Tomlinson, S. Coniglio, S. Reid, T. Taranto, Z. Langdon. C. Dixon 3, R. Gray 2, B. Ebert, J. Westhoff, T. Boak.
J. Hopper, J. Kelly, C. Ward, L. Whitfield, H. Shaw, S. Coniglio. J. Polec, O. Wines, C. Dixon, C. Wingard, T. Boak. Matt Stevic, Jeff Dalgleish, Andre Gianfagna. 34,693, Adelaide Oval. forward Chad Wingard had the chance to bring them closer but missed an attempt from a contentious deliberate free kick against Giants backman Heath Shaw.
After the reprieve, the Giants rallied with steadying goals to Adam Tomlinson and Zac Langdon to secure a deserved triumph.
GWS forwards Harry Himmelberg and Toby Greene slotted two goals each, as did the outstanding Hopper, who also gathered 28 possessions. Whitfield collected a game-high 31 touches.
Fellow on-ballers Stephen Coniglio (25 disposals, one goal) and Dylan Shiel (23 possessions) were also prominent while Shaw (28 touches) and his fellow defenders controlled Port’s attack until Dixon broke loose.
The Power forward had started in the ruck in the absence of injured All Australian Paddy Ryder (hip).
But coach Ken Hinkley swung Dixon into attack when the Power’s plight became mighty — almost six goals down in the third term.
Port’s vice-captain Ollie Wines (29 disposals) battled gamely against the classy Giants in the midfield, and his teammate Jared Polec (29 touches) was a standout from a wing.
Robbie Gray booted two goals but Port remain in fifth spot after consecutive losses.
Best: GWS: Umpires: Crowd: Port: Port: