A shocking four-goal third quarter from GWS famous person Toby Greene has powered the Giants to victory over an injury-hit Western Bulldogs in a topsy-turvy AFL conflict in Ballarat.
The Giants trailed by 29 factors at half time and seemed to be no match for the Bulldogs’ highly effective midfield, however a knee harm to Dogs defender Josh Bruce early within the third time period modified the momentum fully, with the Giants working out winners 11.12 (78) to 10.13 (73) at Mars Stadium.
Bruce, who missed the majority of the 2022 season after injuring his ACL in 2021, fell to the bottom clutching his knee after turning awkwardly, compounding an earlier harm to defender Sam Keath who was subbed out within the opening half with concussion.
The Giants had managed simply two objectives within the opening half however Greene took full benefit of the shift in momentum, exploding to kick 4 objectives and arrange one other in an electrical third time period.
The depth from each groups rose in a good and hard fourth quarter, however the Giants continued to push laborious, with objectives to Jake Riccardi and a fifth to Greene placing GWS in entrance with 5 minutes to go.
A 40-metre drop punt from Brent Daniels from near the boundary stretched the margin out to 11 factors, however Bailey Dale hit again with a purpose for the Dogs moments later.
The Bulldogs had plenty of probabilities to grab victory within the last moments, however the Giants’ defenders saved them at bay and helped their facet to the primary seven-win streak in membership historical past.
Star again Sam Taylor (15 intercept possessions) performed an important function within the win, serving to to halt the affect of the Bulldogs’ multi-pronged ahead line after a gap quarter by which the Bulldogs took 9 marks inside 50.
Veteran Callan Ward additionally performed a key function, slowing Marcus Bontempelli down after a commanding first quarter by which he notched up 13 disposals and arrange the Dogs’ first three photographs at purpose.
Lachie Whitfield (34 disposals), Stephen Coniglio (34), and Lachie Ash (30) have been key contributors, whereas Jake Riccardi kicked three objectives.
A finals berth appeared extraordinarily unlikely when the Giants had simply 4 wins on the board heading into Round 13, however with seven consecutive wins they now maintain the AFL’s greatest present successful streak.
The victory in Ballarat additionally added to the Giants’ spectacular away document, having gained 5 consecutive matches outdoors Sydney.
The Giants might be hoping to increase their successful streak to eight matches after they meet Sydney within the Battle of the Bridge at GIANTS Stadium subsequent Saturday evening, earlier than dealing with Port Adelaide, Essendon and Carlton to spherical out their dwelling and away season.
The Bulldogs might be hoping to bounce again in opposition to Richmond at Marvel Stadium on Friday evening, with video games in opposition to Hawthorn, West Coast and Geelong nonetheless to come back.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
