GWS pep talk makes big difference
STERN words from their midfield leaders have put GWS back on track for a tilt at a maiden AFL flag.
For the third straight season, the AFL’s youngest club will play at least two finals matches.
The elimination final win over Sydney propelled the Giants into a semi- final against Collingwood at the MCG, where they beat the Magpies by 16 points in round two.
GWS smashed the Swans 163- 124 in contested possessions, despite losing gun midfielder Josh Kelly early in the game.
After substandard efforts in the last quarter of their round22 loss to Sydney and the next week against Melbourne, the Giants responded with their fiercest effort of the season on Saturday.
“As well as being a final it was also an opportunity for us to show that when we play our best footy we feel like we can beat anyone,” said midfielder Jacob Hopper.
Hopper, who had 26 possessions on Saturday, was one of 11 Giants to finish with 20 or more in the game.
He revealed the midfielders took it upon themselves to lift after the Melbourne game, in addition to being challenged by coach Leon Cameron.
“I think internally we knew that we let ourselves down, we let the team down as a midfield group,” Hopper said.
“We’ve got some really good leaders in there in Cogs ( Stephen Coniglio) and Josh Kelly and Callan Ward.
“They really drove it and said ‘ boys, enough is enough and it’s time to stand up now’.
“It’s our third finals campaign, so we want to play the best footy we can.”