Australian Football

Match Report

With the top-of-the-ladder West Coast coming up against the newest side in the competition, Greater Western Sydney, many in the football world predicted records to tumble. Some betting agencies even refused to take money on the game. It was the result everyone expected, but the Giants were far more spirited against West Coast than they were in round two against North Melbourne. It wasn’t looking that way at quarter time as the Eagles took a 58-point lead, kicking 11 goals to two in the opening term. That was the Eagles’ equal highest total in a quarter in their history, along with their biggest first quarter. But GWS were able to remain competitive, and they even managed to win their first quarter in the AFL in the last term. Eagles midfielders Daniel Kerr and Brad Dalziell suffered injuries in the first half, which limited the side’s run for the rest of the match. Luke Shuey and Andrew Gaff stepped up in the absence of experienced midfielder Matt Priddis, kicking five and three goals respectively. For the Giants, mature-aged players Tom Scully (30 touches) and Callan Ward (36) led the way for the more younger players, while ruckman Jonathon Giles booted three goals.



GOALS:
GWS: Giles 3, Palmer 2, Ward, Bugg, Treloar, Tomlinson, Townsend

West Coast: Shuey 5, Masten, Lynch 3, Naitanui, Kennedy 2, S.Selwood, Smith, Dalziell, Cox, Hill, Darling, Hams, McGinnity



BEST - AFL.COM.AU
GWS: Shiel, Palmer, Ward, Scully, Giles, Power
West Coast: Shuey, Gaff, Schofield, Masten, S.Selwood, Hurn

BEST - THE AGE
GWS: Giles, Ward, Scully, Bugg, Palmer
West Coast: S Selwood, Shuey, Masten, Naitanui, Gaff, A Selwood

COACHES COMMENTS
Kevin Sheedy (GWS): This is a team in progress. Obviously West Coast is going to be in the top four and maybe even in the Grand Final. We just have to get off to a better start. I thought we were very, very competitive in the final three quarters. That's a great experience for our boys and probably the best three quarters that we've put in.

John Worsfold(WC): There was some exciting ball movement by GWS in that last quarter, they were pretty crisp.


Umpires: Foot, Ryan, Wenn