NSW/ACT NOTEBOOK: Round 1
GWS GIANTS 15.9 (99) def. Sydney Swans 9.13 (67)
History was unexpectedly created when GWS secured their first ever win over cross-town rivals Sydney at Spotless Stadium last Saturday.
The 32-point win was one of the biggest upsets in recent AFL history, given many favour the Swans for a top four spot and the GIANTS previously had just three wins from two seasons to their name.
The Swans started strong with a six-goal first quarter before a lightning storm delayed the resumption of play by 25 minutes.
The GIANTS’ confidence seemed to grow from there, with talls Jeremy Cameron (four goals) and Jonathan Patton (three goals) causing plenty of trouble up forward.
At the other end, big-name recruit Lance Franklin was being held to 1.1 by GIANTS defender Phil Davis.
Still, the Swans were in front at every change and it was anticipated they would run out the game in the fourth quarter.
But a flurry of goals from the GIANTS starting 16 minutes into the term ensured otherwise. Stephen Coniglio, Adam Kennedy, Cameron, Sam Frost, Patton and Lachie Whitfield all booted home goals to steer their side home.
Adam Treloar had a big game with 34 disposals and eight clearances. Callan Ward had 31 disposals, 24 contested.
Luke Parker was the Swans’ leading ball-winner with 23 disposals, while Ben McGlynn had two goals.
NSW/ACT Notes
The Luke Breust (Temora) and Isaac Smith (Temora) combo was back in Hawthorn’s win over the Brisbane Lions. Breust bagged five goals with 22 disposals while Smith had two with 26.
Also for the Hawks, Will Langford (East Sydney) earned his second AFL game after an impressive pre-season. He had 16 disposals, six clearances and six inside 50s.
Hamish McIntosh (Lavington) finally made his Geelong debut in their win over Adelaide, racking up 19 hitouts and a goal.
Craig Bird (Nelson Bay) had a goal, six tackles and 16 disposals for the Swans in their clash with GWS. Jarrad McVeigh (Pennant Hills) had 20 disposals and seven clearances.
Harry Cunningham (Turvey Park) had 13 disposals and five inside 50s. Ben McGlynn (Wentworth) had two goals and five tackles.
Making his performance on Lance Franklin more remarkable, Phil Davis (Marist Canberra) played through a kidney injury during the game and spent the following week hospitalised.
Dylan Addison (St George) made his GWS debut after switching from the Western Bulldogs. He had nine disposals and five tackles.
Dean Terlich (Osborne) had 16 disposals and a goal for Melbourne in their loss to St Kilda. Former Bulldog Daniel Cross (Albury) had 15 disposals.
For the Saints, Sam Gilbert (St George) had 15 disposals and four marks.
Jarrod Witts (St Ives) had 11 hitouts for Collingwood in their loss to Fremantle.
NEAFL
AINSLIE v HILLS EAGLES
Sat 29 Mar 12:00 PMAinslie – Ainslie Oval
ASPLEY v BELCONNEN
Sat 29 Mar 12:00 PMAspley – Graham Road
SOUTHPORT v GOLD COAST SUNS
Sat 29 Mar 1:30 PMSouthport – Fankhauser Reserve
NT THUNDER v UWS GIANTS
Sat 29 Mar 7:00 PMDarwin – TIO Stadium
BRISBANE LIONS v SYDNEY SWANS
Sun 30 Mar 3:15 PMGabba
