NSW/ACT Notebook: Round 20 Review

GWS GIANTS 7.9 (51) def. by North Melbourne 19.12 (126)
 
The GIANTS have dropped a spot on the ladder after going down to North Melbourne by 75 points at StarTrack Oval.
 
The final scoreline was the result of a stream of third-quarter goals to North that put the game beyond reach for the home side.
 
The GIANTS would have gone into half time confident, having reduced the margin to just four on the back of a Jonathon Patton bomb.
 
However, the competitive first half was not a sign of things to come. Drew Petrie goaled within a minute of play resuming, which set the tone for the remainder of the match.
 
North dominated the clearances (35-28) and inside 50s (55-34), making it hard for GWS to turn things around.
 
The GIANTS were led by Toby Greene (35 disposals) and Heath Shaw (31) in the ball-winners, while Patton and Devon Smith (who managed 21 touches) kicked two goals each. Greene and Smith also took nine marks apiece.
 
For North, Petrie finished with five and teammate Ben Cunnington bagged three to go with 29 disposals.
 
The side that overtook the GIANTS on the ladder, Melbourne, is the side they face next week at the MCG.
 
Port Adelaide 7.16 (58) def. by Sydney Swans 12.12 (84)
 
The divide between the top four and the rest may have gotten a little wider after the Swans got on top of Port Adelaide by 26 points on Saturday night.
 
Port led by one at the first break after both teams managed two goals, however the Swans grinded out an 11-point buffer in the second term – holding Port to just one major.
 
The beginning of the third quarter featured several pivotal moments. Not long after Port squandered two attempts at goal, Ben McGlynn converted after being awarded a 50-metre penalty.
 
A Kurt Tippett goal soon after gave the Swans more breathing space, important considering Port were able to answer every Sydney goal up until the very end of the fourth quarter.
 
Port got on top of the contested possessions (160-145) but were out-tackled (59-68) and didn’t get the ball forward enough (inside 50s 44-53).
 
McGlynn was a star for the Swans with three goals and 21 disposals. Josh Kennedy had 34 touches while Harry Cunningham was another to kick three.
 
Port’s Robbie Gray led all ball-winners with 37 disposals.
 
Next week, the Swans host St Kilda at the SCG and will be hoping to close the percentage gap between them and ladder-leaders Hawthorn.
 
NSW/ACT Notes
 
Taylor Walker (North Broken Hill) kicked 6.2, racked up 21 disposals and grabbed six marks in Adelaide’s win over Brisbane.
 
Ben McGlynn (Wentworth) amassed 21 disposals, three goals, five clearances and six tackles for the Swans. Craig Bird (Nelson Bay) had 24 touches and 10 tackles.
 
Kieren Jack (Pennant Hills) had 24 touches and eight tackles. Harry Cunningham (Turvey Park) booted three goals and generated seven inside 50s.
 
Jarrad McVeigh (Pennant Hills) had 25 touches with five tackles. Dane Rampe (UNSW-ES Bulldogs) had four rebound 50s and three tackles.
 
Lenny Hayes (Pennant Hills) played his last home game for St Kilda, finishing with 17 disposals and a goal in the loss to the Western Bulldogs.
 
Adam Schneider (Osborne) laid seven tackles, took five marks and kicked a goal. Josh Bruce (Eastlake) also kicked a goal.
 
Anthony Miles (North Albury) picked up 28 disposals, seven clearances and six marks for Richmond in their win over Essendon.
 
Will Langford (East Sydney) had 27 disposals and four clearances for Hawthorn in their win over Melbourne. Luke Breust (Temora) finished with three goals.
 
Isaac Smith (Temora) had two goals, Matt Suckling (Wagga Tigers) picked up 24 touches and Taylor Duryea (Wahgunyah) had six marks and five one-percenters.
 
Hamish McIntosh (Lavington) had 20 hitouts, five marks and five tackles in Geelong’s win over Fremantle. Tom Hawkins (Finley) booted one goal and had five inside 50s.
 
Sam Rowe (North Albury) made nine one-percenters and took seven marks for Carlton in the win over Gold Coast.
 
Jarrod Witts (St Ives) had 20 hitouts and three marks for Collingwood in their loss to West Coast.
 
Daniel Cross (Albury) had 22 touches and three tackles for the Dees. Aidan Riley (Figtree) kicked a goal before being subbed off.
 
Phil Davis (Marist Canberra) took seven marks and had four one-percenters for the GIANTS. Zac Williams (Narrandera) had four marks and two inside 50s.
 
NEAFL (Round 19)
 
Sydney Swans 13.14 (92) def. Gold Coast Suns 6.10 (46)
Queanbeyan 11.11 (77) def. by UWS GIANTS 17.12 (144)
Sydney University 13.6 (84) def. by Redland 11.20 (86)
Brisbane Lions 18.12 (120) def. Southport 6.11 (47)
NT Thunder 15.7 (97) def. Aspley 9.4 (58)
Belconnen 8.18 (66) def. by Hills Eagles 11.11 (77)
Ainslie 21.16 (142) def. by Eastlake 7.8 (50)