A red-hot GWS have overrun Adelaide for the second time this season to safe their fifth victory on the trot with a 14-point triumph at Adelaide Oval.
The Giants booted all 5 targets of a gripping ultimate time period to grab a stirring 10.11 (71) to eight.9 (57) win on the street and climb over the Crows to the brink of the highest eight.
Skipper Toby Greene sparked the Giants’ comeback with the primary main of the ultimate time period nevertheless it was veteran Daniel Lloyd who booted the sealer in a fiery conflict on Saturday night time.
The Crows led by 17 factors on the final change however had been then held goalless because the Giants once more surged previous them after overcoming an early 31-point deficit towards the identical crew in spherical one.
Lachie Whitfield was elegant in his 2 hundredth AFL match for the Giants, accumulating 28 disposals and 425 metres gained, whereas Josh Kelly bounced again from a uncommon quiet sport with 28 touches and 9 clearances.
Kelly added the second objective of the ultimate time period and Greene completed with three majors because the Giants (9-8) confirmed their finals credentials and moved as much as ninth place.
“Lachie Whitfield’s 200th tonight, and you ask the guys to play like Lachie with a bit of courage and dare and that’s exactly what you get to a man,” Giants coach Adam Kingsley stated.
“That’s probably a reflection of how much the group and the club loves Lachie Whitfield.
“But that is a standard theme amongst all of our extra skilled gamers, they wish to achieve success each individually however extra importantly as a bunch.”
The Crows (8-9) missed an opportunity to reclaim a spot in the top eight with just their third loss from 10 matches on home turf this season to spoil former captain Rory Sloane’s 250th match.
Current skipper Jordan Dawson (27 disposals) battled hard for the Crows along with Rory Laird (33, one goal) and Brodie Smith (27) but they ultimately paid the price for failing to take their chances in a heated contest.
A fired-up Josh Rachele was involved in a running battle with Harry Perryman and the Crows will also be sweating on the review of a report for the young gun’s high hit on Jack Buckley.
The two finals contenders went goal-for-goal early with the Crows’ key forward Riley Thilthorpe slotting a set shot after the siren to grab the lead at the first change.
The Crows pulled away with three goals to none in the second term as their midfield got on top, then held the Giants at arm’s-length until the visitors stunned them with a final-term fightback.
“I feel our opposition took their sport to a different stage which was greater than ours,” Crows coach Matthew Nicks stated.
“I’m not saying that we had been actually poor, nevertheless it was a good distance from our greatest, a good distance, which is essentially the most disappointing half.”
GWS subsequent host Gold Coast at Manuka Oval on Sunday, whereas Adelaide will probably be out to show round their kind on the street after they face Melbourne on the MCG the identical day.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
