NSW/ACT Notebook: Round 4 Review

GWS GIANTS 12.11 (83) def. by Western Bulldogs 17.8 (110)

After leading the way at all three changes, Greater Western Sydney couldn’t hold off a determined Western Bulldogs, losing by 27 points at Manuka Oval.

The GIANTS were more than four goals up at quarter time, with the key forward Jeremy Cameron (three goals) looking ominous.

The Dogs gradually closed the gap after the first break, with the margin down to eight points at three quarter time.

Six unanswered final term goals sealed it for the Dogs, with Stewart Crameri (four goals) and Liam Jones (three goals) leaving their mark on the game. Midfielder Matthew Boyd also starred with 39 disposals.

Heath Shaw was a leader for the GIANTS with 27 disposals, while Adam Treloar had another big game with 23 disposals and nine tackles.

Despite Shane Mumford being a late withdrawal, the GIANTS still won the hitout battle with Jon Giles (37) overcoming Will Minson (32).

A deal-breaker though was the Dogs’ better use of the footy, with a disposal efficiency of 75 per cent versus the GIANTS’ 66 per cent.

Both sides are now 2-2. The GIANTS will next face Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval.

Sydney Swans 6.12 (48) def. by North Melbourne 13.13 (91)

The Sydney Swans came off second-best in a contest with the rising Kangaroos, going down by 43 points at the SCG.

It was North Melbourne’s first win at the ground since 2004 and first victory outside Melbourne or Hobart since beating the GIANTS in Round 23, 2012.

In wet conditions, the Swans opened the scoring but found themselves nine points down going into the first break.

Each side added just one goal in the second term, where the margin was cut to six, but the Kangas began to run away with it after half time.

Aaron Black and Daniel Wells kicked three goals each for North, while Ben Cunnington had 30 disposals and Scott Thompson held Buddy Franklin to his quietest Swans performance yet.

Josh Kennedy picked up 33 disposals for the Swans with 11 clearances and Nick Malceski had 26 disposals with seven inside 50s.

The weather meant disposal efficiency was always going to be crucial, and North claimed this stat (67 per cent to 58). They also won the contested ball (172-163) and the disposal count overall (389-350).

The Swans have moved to 1-3 but have the best percentage of all 1-3 sides and the second-best percentage of all sides outside the eight.

Next week, they host Fremantle at the SCG.

NSW/ACT Notes

Sam Lloyd (Deniliquin) had an outstanding AFL debut for Richmond in their Friday night loss to Collingwood. The mature-age recruit booted three goals and registered 22 disposals at 88 per cent efficiency.

Jarrod Witts (St Ives) had 17 touches and 10 hitouts as the Pies’ back-up ruckman.

Matt Suckling (Wagga Tigers) had 30 disposals, two goals and five inside 50s in Hawthorn’s comprehensive win over Gold Coast. Luke Breust (Temora) had 20 disposals and two goals. Isaac Smith (Temora) had 24 disposals and a goal.

Taylor Duryea (Wahgunyah) had 18 disposals with five rebound 50s. Will Langford (East Sydney) had 19 disposals.

Tom Hawkins (Finley) kicked 3.2 and took eight marks for Geelong in their win over West Coast. Hamish McIntosh (Lavington) had 17 disposals and a goal.

Jarrad McVeigh (Pennant Hills) had a solid game for the Swans with 28 touches, six clearances and a goal. Dane Rampe (UNSW-ES Bulldogs) saw the pill 22 times as well as having six marks and six tackles.

Kieren Jack (Pennant Hills) had 19 disposals and a goal. Ben McGlynn (Wentworth) had 16 disposals with five inside 50s. Lewis Roberts-Thomson (North Shore) had 11 disposals and five one-percenters. Harry Cunningham (Turvey Park) had 11 touches.

Daniel Cross (Albury) had 24 disposals and eight tackles for Melbourne in their win over Carlton. Sam Rowe (North Albury) had a game-high 11 one-percenters for the Blues.

Lenny Hayes (Pennant Hills) had 24 touches with eight tackles for St Kilda in their loss to Adelaide.

Tom Young (Wollondilly) had 15 disposals and a goal for the Bulldogs in their win. Sub Jason Tutt (Ainslie) had two goals with 10 disposals.

Jacob Townsend (Leeton-Whitton) had a game-high 10 tackles for the GIANTS.

NEAFL (Round 3)

Belconnen 1.11 (17) def. by UWS GIANTS 18.20 (128)
Redland 22.15 (147) def. Brisbane Lions 5.10 (40)
Hills Eagles 12.9 (81) def. by Sydney Uni 16.7 (103)
Gold Coast Suns 8.17 (65) def. by NT Thunder 16.6 (102)
Sydney Swans 26.11 (167) def. Queanbeyan 3.12 (30)
Southport 8.16 (66) def. Aspley 6.10 (46)
Ainslie 17.8 (110) def. Eastlake 10.8 (68)