If GWS are to snap their eight-game shedding streak at Manuka Oval, shutting down Western Bulldogs celebrity Marcus Bontempelli seems to be a should.
Giants coach Adam Kingsley flagged they’d ship somebody to the Bulldogs skipper in Saturday’s Canberra conflict, per week after a Hawthorn tag held him to lower than 20 disposals for the primary time in 15 video games.
It meant the Dogs needed to discover different avenues to grind their well past the Hawks, a key for GWS in the event that they’re to again up final weekend’s thrilling derby win towards Sydney.
The Giants have historically dealt with Bontempelli nicely and he solely averages much less disposals per recreation towards two different golf equipment, however GWS defender Connor Idun pressured the significance of getting on high of him.
“He’s a class player and always plays pretty well against us,” he stated.
“We have to be really physical at contests, they’re really good with their hands, so just stopping them at the source and trying to stop his run will be crucial for us.
“It was a large win final week within the derby, so we wish to proceed that momentum and go once more towards one other rival and hopefully get a win.”
Not only did the Giants beat the Swans last weekend but they maintained their record of tight games under first-year coach Adam Kingsley, still yet to finish a contest with a margin larger than 21 points either way.
It contrasts with their 2022 form, where they were beaten by 30 points or more on 10 occasions and struggled to run with the competition’s elite.
“It’s one thing we had been fairly disillusioned with final yr, groups blew us out a bit an excessive amount of,” Idun stated.
“To see we’re enjoying a full 120 minutes and hanging in there and persevering with to combat, it is one thing we’re actually happy with.
“(Winning) just builds momentum and a lot of belief … to see we can do it against the best sides in the league and that our brand stacks up.”
Idun will notch his fiftieth AFL recreation on Saturday, crediting some pointed recommendation from former coach Leon Cameron with saving his younger profession from an early end.
“I was looking like I was gonna get delisted a couple of times and I was a bit off the pace,” he stated.
“Apart from Leon giving me a massive spray and I was too fat, I just played a couple of games in my second year late and I got a taste of what it’s like at the top level.
“I actually loved it in order that low season I put a variety of work in, modified my food regimen, however I received my operating as much as scratch and have not seemed again.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
