NSW/ACT Notebook: Round 15 wrap

By Michael DiFabrizio

GWS GIANTS 12.11 (83) def. by Western Bulldogs 13.9 (87)

After leading at every change the GWS GIANTS suffered its narrowest defeat of the season going down to the Western Bulldogs.

The game was close throughout and after Jeremy Cameron kicked his third goal ten minutes into the final term, the GIANTS led by two.

The next two goals went to the Dogs before Will Hoskin-Elliott responded in the dying stages to reduce the deficit to four.

It set up a thrilling finish, but the Bulldogs were able to hold on.

Devon Smith was the GIANTS’ most damaging player, finishing with 24 disposals, two goals and six inside 50s. Dylan Shiel had 25 touches and three goals.

Other standouts included Lachie Whitfield, Tom Scully and Tim Mohr in defence.

The GIANTS did keep Bulldogs star Ryan Griffen to 22 touches, although he still managed eight inside 50s. The possession leader for the Dogs was Michael Talia with an impressive 32. Will Minson had a big day in the ruck with 45 hitouts.

Ultimately, a lot of the numbers went the way of the Bulldogs. They controlled disposals (298-369) and generated far more inside 50s (36-57).

The reason that dominance didn’t translate to the scoreboard was the GIANTS defence. 72 per cent of those inside 50s were sent back out again. In contrast, the Dogs were only able to rebound 55 per cent of the GIANTS’ inside 50s.

The Dogs were also held to eight marks inside 50, a number the GIANTS forwards matched with less supply.

Melbourne 13.7 (85) def. by Sydney Swans 16.20 (116)

The Sydney Swans were in control in their 31-point win over Melbourne at the MCG.

They burst out of the blocks to kick four of the first five goals and from there it was basically never in doubt.

The only thing preventing the final margin from being larger was accuracy in front of goal, with Melbourne’s 20 scoring shots being far outnumbered by Sydney’s 36.

Third-gamer Brandon Jack kicked four goals to put his hand up for September selection, while three Swans midfielders hit 30 disposals in Josh Kennedy (33), Jarrad McVeigh (33) and Kieren Jack (31).

McVeigh and Kieren Jack were particularly damaging with a goal each and seven and ten inside 50s respectively. The elder Jack also had seven clearances.

In yet another promising performance, Kurt Tippett was a constant threat and finished with 2.4 and seven marks.

Melbourne’s talls up forward stretched the Swans defence with Jack Fitzpatrick, Jack Watts, Jeremy Howe and Chris Dawes all multiple goal kickers. Dean Terlich was their leading ball winner with 27 disposals at 81 per cent efficiency.

The Swans were most dominant in contested possessions (117-156), inside 50s (36-62) and hitouts (33-53), but the Dees were able to take far more marks (125-60).

NSW/ACT Notes

There could be more Collingwood appearances in line for Jarrod Witts (St Ives), who kicked 2.2 and had 16 hitouts as a back-up ruckman in his side’s win over Carlton.

Jason Tutt (Ainslie) returned to Canberra in Western Bulldogs colours on the weekend and kicked two goals with 18 disposals.

Orren Stephenson (Mangoplah-CUE) had 22 hitouts and five clearances for Richmond in their loss to North Melbourne.

Brent Staker (West Broken Hill) delivered in the Brisbane Lions’ Q-Clash win. He had three goals and took nine marks.

Hawthorn’s Luke Breust (Temora) had a goal, two assists and five tackles in their loss to Geelong. Isaac Smith (Temora) had 19 disposals. Taylor Duryea (Wahguyah) had seven tackles.

It was an unfortunately short evening for Aidan Riley (Figtree) for Adelaide against the West Coast Eagles. He was subbed out in the first quarter with an ankle injury.

Brandon Jack, Kieren Jack and Jarrad McVeigh (all Pennant Hills), as well as Dean Terlich (Osborne), all had a big role for their teams in the Melbourne-Sydney match (see report).

Craig Bird (Nelson Bay) had a very solid game with two goals and 20 disposals for the Swans.

NEAFL (Round 16)

UWS GIANTS 28.22 (190) def. Tuggeranong 0.4 (4)
Eastlake 7.7 (49) def. by Sydney Swans 15.19 (109)
Ainslie 16.14 (110) def. Sydney Uni 9.11 (65)
Belconnen 22.20 (152) def. Hills Eagles 12.17 (89)
Queanbeyan – bye