NSW/ACT Notebook: Round 7 Review

By Michael DiFabrizio

GWS GIANTS 15.7 (97) def. by Port Adelaide
 
The GIANTS made league-leaders Port Adelaide work hard to secure their 35-point win in Canberra on Saturday.
 
The home side hit the scoreboard early, getting out to a 12-point lead after kicking three of the game’s first four goals.
 
Port wrestled back control however, with a slight lead at the first break and a 32-point lead at half time.
 
The GIANTS had a response whenever Port looked like running away with it, but they couldn’t bring the margin back down to single digits.
 
Callan Ward picked up a career-high 40 disposals with 11 marks and 10 clearances, while Devon Smith had three goals and 27 touches.
 
Port duo Chad Wingard and Travis Boak were kept quiet by Matt Buntine and Toby Greene, respectively.
 
Jared Polec led the way for the Power with 30 disposals and three goals. Jay Schulz kicked six goals.
 
The GIANTS next face the West Coast Eagles in Perth.
 
Brisbane Lions 6.8 (44) def. by Sydney Swans 18.15 (123)
 
The Swans proved far too strong for the Brisbane Lions, running away to a 79-point win.
 
The visitors could’ve established a monster lead early but instead kicked 3.6 in the first term.
 
The Lions then threatened to make it a contest early in the second, but some late first half Sydney goals would set the tone for the rest of the match.
 
The Swans dominated the disposal count (428-320), inside 50s (62-39) and clearances (38-26).
 
Jarrad McVeigh was best-on for the Swans, with 14 disposals in the first quarter and 35 for the match. Despite the big numbers, he had a disposal efficiency of 88.6 percent.
 
Dan Hannebery and Josh Kennedy each topped 30 touches and Adam Goodes booted three goals.
 
For the Lions, Tom Rockliff did the most damage with 30 disposals and a goal.
 
Hawthorn await the Swans next Friday night at ANZ Stadium.
 
NSW/ACT Notes
 
Luke Breust (Temora) kicked four goals and had 29 disposals for Hawthorn in the big win over St Kilda. Matt Suckling (Wagga Tigers) had 31 disposals with 12 marks.
 
Isaac Smith (Temora) had 29 touches. Taylor Duryea (Wahgunyah) had 18 touches.
 
Lenny Hayes (Pennant Hills) had 24 disposals with nine tackles for the Saints.
 
Jarrad McVeigh (Pennant Hills) had 35 disposals and a goal for the Swans. Kieren Jack (Pennant Hills) saw the ball 26 times and had two goals.
 
Dane Rampe (UNSW-ES Bulldogs) had 21 disposals with 10 marks. Ben McGlynn (Wentworth) had 24 disposals and eight clearances.
 
Craig Bird (Nelson Bay) had 20 disposals and six marks. Harry Cunningham (Turvey Park) had 13 touches.
 
Sam Lloyd (Deniliquin) kicked three goals for Richmond in their loss to Geelong.

Hamish McIntosh (Lavington) had 25 hitouts and a goal for the Cats, while Tom Hawkins (Finley) had 14 disposals.
 
Jarrod Witts (St Ives) had two goals and 15 hitouts for Collingwood in their Friday night win over Carlton.
 
Sam Rowe (North Albury) had nine one-percenters and took five marks for the Blues.
 
Dean Terlich (Osborne) and Daniel Cross (Albury) each had 21 disposals for Melbourne in their surprise win over Adelaide.
 
NEAFL (Round 6)
 
UWS GIANTS 16.12 (108) def. Ainslie 9.5 (59)
Hills Eagles 9.10 (64) def. by Redland 9.18 (72)
NT Thunder 12.14 (86) def. Southport 10.8 (68)
Belconnen 7.16 (58) def. Sydney University 8.8 (56)
Aspley 13.17 (95) def. Gold Coast Suns 7.10 (52)
Eastlake 6.7 (43) def. By Queanbeyan 18.13 (121)
Sydney Swans, Brisbane Lions – bye