Game Detail

Round: 21   Venue: Manuka Oval   Date: Sat, 18-08-2012 2:10 pm   Attendance: 7,561
GWS	2.2.14	4.4.28	4.5.29	9.5.59	C:
Melbourne	3.4.22	6.10.46	9.13.67	11.18.84	C:
	ME by 8	ME by 18	ME by 38	ME by 25

Weather

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Match Report

GWS and Melbourne, two sides for whom it appears the end of the season cannot come quickly enough, met at Manuka Oval in Canberra on Saturday, and the standard of the match reflected the mindsets of both clubs. The scrappy affair was not helped by windy conditions as the Demons ground out an 11.18 (84) to 9.5 (59) win. The loss consigns Greater Western Sydney to an almost certain fate of taking out the wooden spoon in their first season of AFL.

For the Demons, Jeremy Howe kicked three goals and took another one of his almost-weekly screamers. Lyndon Dunn and Jack Grimes played well and Nathan Jones's fine season continued. GWS were by no means disgraced and outscored the Demons in the final quarter. Toby Greene continued a fine debut season, gathering a game-high 38 disposals, which he topped off with two goals. Taylor Adams and Luke Power, playing in his 300th AFL match, were also solid contributors.

Reflecting the high regard in which he is held as a player and person, Luke Power walked off the ground between a guard of honour formed by players of both teams. Power becomes the 66th player to have reached the 300-game milestone. Given that there have been more than 12,000 VFL/AFL players, this represents a significant achievement.

For Melbourne, their season will be rounded out by matches against Adelaide at the MCG and Fremantle at Subiaco. The match against Fremantle will be the last for 250-gamer Brad Green, who has announced his retirement. GWS will take on St Kilda and North Melbourne in rounds 21 and 22, and it looks likely that the Giants will finish the season with two wins and in last place on the ladder.

GOALS
GWS: Greene 2; Giles, Power, Adams, Phillips, McDonald, Smith, Davis
Melbourne: Howe 3; Sellar, Trengove, Rivers 2; Green, Grimes

BEST - THE AGE
GWS: Greene, Power, Adams, Giles, Cornes, Davis
Melbourne: Howe, Spencer, Dunn, Trengove,Grimes

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
GWS: Greene, Giles, Power, Adams, Phillips
Melbourne: Dunn, Grimes, Howe, Trengove, MacDonald

COACHES' COMMENTS
Kevin Sheedy (GWS): We've certainly made some gains in the second half of the year, there's no doubt. Our ball movement, our work at the clearances is improving, as is the way that we're defending.

Mark Neeld (Melb): We met some of our work-rate targets, so that's pleasing. Their pressure, at times... caused us to over-use the footy at times. But we'll take from it, a win interstate.

Umpires: Ryan, Armstrong, Harris

Player Stats