Giants defuse fast-finishing Bombers to close in on top eight

The Giants have kept in touch with the top eight by surviving a late scare and toppling Essendon at home on Saturday afternoon.

The Giants stood tall at home on Saturday. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

A controversial denial of a free-kick to Essendon forward Cale Hooker in the dying stages has helped GWS to their fourth win in five weeks as they held on for a thrilling two-point triumph over the Bombers, keeping the top eight within spitting distance.

With the margin a mere two points in favour of GWS late in the final quarter, Giants defender Lachie Keefe looked to have collected Hooker in the head while attempting to spoil deep in defence.

With no whistle from the umpire however, it set the scene for Jacob Hopper to play the role of Giants hero as he snapped home what would prove to be the sealer.

“That happens, the game’s a hard one to umpire. The state of the game, you look at it but there were passages in that first quarter that cost us goals too,” Essendon coach Ben Rutten said.

“It’s great to win another close one,” GWS coach Leon Cameron said.

“We’ve got a record of fifteen and one under four points which is a phenomenal record for such a young team. To hold on in an interesting set of circumstances was really pleasing,” he continued.

In an absorbing, seesawing contest, the Bombers, who lost a star in Jake Stringer to hamstring injury in the third quarter, yet again proved their fight this season as they reeled in several Giants leads to set-up a nailbiting finish.

The only downside for the Giants, however, was a first quarter incident that saw Jeremy Finlayson reported for striking for a late hit on Zach Merrett that is likely to cost him some weeks on the sidelines.

It’s a blow for the rangy left footer, who was crucial in the Giants victory with three goals, including two in a third quarter where GWS would pile on seven majors.

Josh Kelly was another standout, notching up 30 possessions and kicking two majors, as the classy left footer proved instrumental for the second time this season in a tight Giant win, while Tim Taranto had it 28 times as did youngster Tom Green who continues to blossom in the GWS engine room.

After trailing by 24 points at the first break, the Bombers’ initial resurgence was inspired by star on-ballers Merrett and Darcy Parish who would finish with 37 and 35 possessions respectively.

Kyle Langford, who struggled with his disposal early, kicked three goals for the afternoon to help get the Bombers back into the contest.

Toby Greene yet again starred for the Giants in his role of acting captain with several crucial contributions forward of centre while young defender Sam Taylor was outstanding deep in defence.

The win was just out of reach for Essendon. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

MATT THE MIGHTY MEDICAL SUB

When Jake Stringer went off with a hamstring injury, the hopes of a resurgence from Bombers fans would have faded but the impact of Matt Guelfi, who replaced him as the sub, was immense. He had eight touches, laid six tackles and kicked a goal in under a half of game time.

ARCHIE DOES IT INTERSTATE

One of the stories of draft week was the outspoken Archie Perkins who said he didn’t want to play for an interstate team and told recruiters to act as such. The Bombers would snare him with pick nine in the draft and after playing all but one game this season, he would ironically kick his first AFL goal outside of Victoria with a lovely strike from 40 metres out on a tight angle in the third term.

SPRIGHTLY SPROULE

The story of Zach Sproule is an interesting one for the Giants. After debuting in 2019, the 22 year old has clearly done it the hard way, playing in just his third career game in this contest but he was extremely lively in the first half, kicking two goals to help give the Giants the early buffer.

GWS: 6.2 – 7.4 – 14.8 – 16.11 (107)

Essendon 2.2 – 5.7 – 10.7 – 16.9 (105)

Goals:

GWS – Finlayson 3, Greene 2, Sproule 2, Bruhn 2, Kelly 2, Himmelberg, Hill, Lloyd, Hopper, Taranto

Ess: Langford 3, Wright 2, Snelling 2, Jones 2, Mcdonald-Tipungwuti 2, Cox, Perkins, Hooker, Redman, Guelfi

Best:

GWS: Kelly, Taranto, Taylor, Greene, Green, Finlayson, Hopper

Ess: Merrett, Parish, Hind, Redman, Snelling, Langford

VOTES:

3 – Josh Kelly (GWS)

2 – Sam Taylor (GWS)

1 – Zach Merrett (ESS)

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Originally published as Giants defuse fast-finishing Bombers to close in on top eight