NSW/ACT Notebook: Round 19 wrap

By Michael DiFabrizio

GWS GIANTS 19.10 (124) def. Melbourne 12.15 (87)

The wait was long but the GIANTS are finally on the board in 2013 after an uplifting 37-point win over Melbourne.

It was a nervous start from the home side, conceding the opening goal and two 50 metre penalties that led to goals shortly after.

But the GIANTS fought back to claim the quarter time lead before holding the Dees to just one second-term goal. After an even third quarter the margin was just 13 points.

At this point questions about the GIANTS’ poor fourth quarter were raised, to which they responded with their best final quarter of the season.

Callan Ward had a captain’s game with 31 disposals, four goals and seven inside 50s. Lachie Whitfield had a pair of goals and 26 touches. Adam Treloar and Tom Scully had 30 and 29 disposals respectively.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Cameron pushed his Coleman Medal chances further with a four-goal performance.

Nathan Jones had 29 disposals and 10 clearances for Melbourne.

Inside 50s were 56-48, which meant for the first time all year the GIANTS generated more than 50 in a game.

Western Bulldogs 15.9 (99) def. by Sydney Swans 21.8 (134)

It was a weekend where the top four were all tested by lower opposition, but of them only the Swans emerged with four points thanks to a 35-point win over the Western Bulldogs.　

The Dogs played an exciting brand of footy to challenge the reigning premiers, laying 96 tackles to Sydney’s 79 and that was despite having more disposals than the visitors (406-362).

Late in the third quarter, the Swans held just an eight-point lead.

But a resolute back line, not to mention a superb performance from Kurt Tippett, saved the day.

Of the Dogs’ 60 inside 50s, 43 were rebounded by the Swans which was an equal round-high.

Up the other end, Tippett was unstoppable in his best game yet in red and white, finishing with six straight goals.

Kieren Jack was once again outstanding, picking up 30 disposals, 13 tackles, 11 clearances and two goals. Jarrad McVeigh also had 30 touches while Shane Mumford had 36 hitouts and two goals.

Craig Bird, Jed Lamb and Jude Bolton were also multiple goal kickers.

For the Dogs, Ryan Griffen continued his massive year with 41 disposals and 10 clearances. Tom Liberatore had 33 disposals and Jarrad Grant kicked three goals.

NSW/ACT Notes

Brent Staker (West Broken Hill) kicked three goals for the Brisbane Lions in the win over St Kilda.

Lenny Hayes (Pennant Hills) picked up 22 disposals and had six clearances for the Saints.

Kieren Jack (Pennant Hills) and Jarrad McVeigh (Pennant Hills) were superb for the Swans while Craig Bird (Nelson Bay) was among the goal kickers (see match report). Dane Rampe (UNSW-ES Bulldogs) had 20 disposals and seven marks. Brandon Jack (Pennant Hills) kicked a goal after coming on as the sub.

Daniel Cross (Albury) returned to the Dogs line-up and had 32 disposals which included six clearances. Dylan Addison (St George) had a goal. Jason Tutt (Ainslie) had 13 disposals and seven inside 50s. Tom Young (Wollondilly) laid six tackles.

Josh Bruce (Eastlake) was a key part of the GIANTS’ defence in their win with seven marks and seven one-percenters. Phil Davis (Marist Canberra) had five and six. Zac Williams (Narrandera) was impressive with 21 disposals.

Mitch Clisby (West Broken Hill) had 22 disposals and a goal for Melbourne. Dean Terlich (Osborne) had 14 disposals and two score assists.

Isaac Smith (Temora) accumulated 29 disposals, kicked a goal and had five inside 50s for Hawthorn in their loss to Richmond. Taylor Duryea (Wahgunyah) had 13 touches and five marks. Luke Breust (Temora) had four marks and four tackles.

Orren Stephenson (Mangoplah-CUE) had 13 hitouts for the Tigers before being subbed off.

Tom Hawkins (Finley) kicked 1.2 in Geelong’s loss to North Melbourne on Friday night.

Sam Rowe (North Albury) had one goal, 15 hitouts and five marks for Carlton in their loss to Fremantle.

NEAFL

UWS GIANTS 33.18 (222) def. Sydney Uni 4.6 (30)
Brisbane Lions 17.17 (119) def. Sydney Swans 13.8 (86)
Southport 16.13 (109) def. Eastlake 9.5 (59)
Hills Eagles 18.13 (121) def. Tuggeranong 11.11 (77)
Ainslie 10.16 (76) def. Queanbeyan 10.13 (73)
Belconnen – bye