Giants hand out capital punishment
BEATEN preliminary finalist Greater Western Sydney pummelled 2016 premier the Western Bulldogs in Canberra yesterday, winning their clash by a whopping 82 points.
The Giants kicked the first four goals of the game and were never challenged in the 20.13 (133) to 7.9 (51) result, as stars Jeremy Cameron (six goals) and Toby Greene (four) ran riot up forward.
The Dogs seemed to lift when Tom Liberatore went off in the first quarter with a knee injury after a lacklustre start, kicking the next three goals to only be five points behind at quarter-time. But it was all the classy Giants from there as they booted 16 goals to four after the first change.
They were led sensationally by key on-ballers Stephen Coniglio (32 possessions and two goals), Josh Kelly (29 and two) and Dylan Shiel, while Tim Taranto also played an integral role.
GWS’s new-look half-back line performed well, with former No. 1 draft pick Lachie Whitfield slotting in seamlessly after Nathan Wilson’s move to Fremantle and the injury to Zac Williams.
On a dark day for the Bulldogs, Jack Macrae, Luke Dahlhaus and Lachie Hunter found plenty of the ball and young ruckman Tim English showed some serious promise in his fourth game.
GWS coach Leon Cameron says Whitfield will still play in the midfield this year despite slotting seamlessly into defence. The former No. 1 AFL draft pick has been thrown across half-back after Nathan Wilson’s move to Fremantle and injuries to Zac Williams and Ryan Griffen.
Whitfield showed class and poise during the Giants’ win yesterday. He collected 34 possessions — the most for either side. Cameron was full of praise for the 23-year-old in his post-match press conference.
“[Lachie’s] been a terrific wingman and everyone talks about having two of the same [player], we’d love to have two Lachies — one in defence and one through the middle,” Cameron said.
“No doubt with the injuries we’ve had, he’s grabbed the opportunity down back. We’ll look to put him through the midfield and on the wing during the year as well, but there’s no doubt he’s making every post a winner across half back.”