McVeigh makes mark, oversees a Giant leap

IN the wake of Leon Cameron’s departure a new era has been ushered in at GWS with a thumping 52-point win over a deplorable West Coast Eagles outfit in Mark McVeigh’s first game as coach.

A reaction was expected in the Giants’ first game in nine seasons under a new leader and that was certainly the case.

“There was definitely a different feel, but the respect that was shown to Leon (Cameron) actually set up our week because we were all rapt that it was done with class so then the transition becomes a little easier,” McVeigh said.

Compounding West Coast’s myriad woes was another injury to skipper Luke Shuey that led to him being subbed out.

“It’s not a hamstring, it’s back related. The message came that his back was getting really tight,” Eagles coach Adam Simpson said.

“We got beaten up around the ball and in the contest, in particular the first quarter.

“Our inability to keep it in our front half was not good enough.

“We gave a bit more effort in the second half, but the first and second quarters were not good enough,” Simpson continued.