AFL 2020: GWS moves on from Grand Final heartache after pushing Geelong aside

Greater Western Sydney made an emphatic statement against Geelong on the back of unlikely hero Harry Perryman to show it has dusted off last year’s painful Grand Final loss.

Harry Perryman was an unlikely hero for the Giants. Picture: Getty Images

The stands were empty, but it was hard to miss the early statement made by

Greater Western Sydney.

Humiliated in last year’s Grand Final, all eyes were on how the Giants would rebound from the tortured experience of getting so close, yet finishing so far.

But GWS gave the AFL world an emphatic answer on their opening night, with a powerful 32-point dismantling of Geelong at Giants Stadium.

Midfielder Harry Perryman starred in a breakout performance alongside superstar Toby Greene, with both kicking four goals apiece in a scary exhibition of what the Giants are capable of when at their efficient best.

The cavernous atmosphere made it feel like a training run, and the Giants made it look like one at times – with usual suspects Jeremy Cameron (three goals), Stephen Coniglio and Lachie Whitfield also starring in the slick 105-73 Round 1 triumph.

GWS left a packed MCG in tears last September, but early indications are the haunting loss to Richmond may have only strengthened their claims.

With former Adelaide big man Sam Jacobs on board, the Giants look as strong on paper as they did in 2016, and their young stars who were only kids then, are growing in stature.

Watch every match of every round of the 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE & On-Demand with KAYO. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Harry Perryman starred with four goals for the Giants. Picture: AAP

Geelong stayed with GWS through the first half, but a bouncing goal from the left boot of new captain Coniglio against the run of play right on the cusp of the main break turned the game.

The Giants came flying out of the blocks again in the third quarter, and kicked into another gear again midway through the last quarter when the Cats had cut the margin to 20.

Mitch Duncan showed his worth to Geelong in a losing side, kicking three goals and finishing with 21 disposals – bettered only by the irrepressible Gary Ablett (24).

PERRY GOOD GAME

Unheralded Perryman doubled his career tally of goals in the season opener, in a performance which will please coach Leon Cameron as much as anything else.

It was a career-best showing which adds further potency to the Giants midfield.

Despite the goals, Perryman’s defining moment was a third quarter spoil on Luke Dahlaus, where he made plenty of ground to shut down a potential Geelong opportunity.

After last year’s grand final embarrassment, the Giants must find a way to find an extra 10 per cent, and Perryman showed how it can be done.

Mitch Duncan did his best to keep the Cats in the game. Picture: Phil Hillyard

SOUNDS OF THE FOOTY

The sound of leather crashing into goalpost is something you might hear at a local game, but never in the AFL.

However, when Geelong star Tom Hawkins hit the woodwork early last night, it sent a chastening ping around the cavernous Giants Stadium that perhaps best encapsulates the season of coronavirus.

No Bronx cheer from the crowd, just the raw emptiness of a goal missed by a coat of varnish.

Some have predictably teased that the Giants should benefit most out of the stadium lockouts due to their comparatively low average attendance. But when the crowd noise is seagulls flying overhead you know you’re in a brave new world.

Moments of edge-of-your-seat brilliance like Stephen Coniglio’s bouncing kick towards goal on the cusp of half-time barely celebrated, and acknowledged only by a random song played out over the loudspeaker to no one.

MORE NEWS

AFL 2020 Round 1: Geelong coach Chris Scott urges footy world to cut AFL some slack

Collingwood staffer tests positive for COVID-19

St Kilda recruit Dougal Howard opens up on the ‘weirdest week’ of his football life, and how Brett Ratten lured him long-distance

NO CROWDS, NO MISS

Former Richmond great Matthew Richardson claimed on Channel 7 commentary that set shot efficiency would go through the roof this season with no crowds.

“I swear goalkicking is going to be easier with no one in the crowd. Players just don’t feel as much pressure with no one watching,” he said.

“I honestly believe it’s going to be a factor.”

The Giants proved Richardson correct, nailing virtually every opportunity in the first half. They were nine goals one at the main break.

A superb shot from the boundary line from Zac Langdon midway through the second quarter summed up the lethalness of GWS, who were never headed in the match despite sitting well back for inside 50s in the first half.

SCOREBOARD

GWS 5.0 9.1 13.3 17.3 (105)

GEELONG 4.2 6.6 8.7 11.7 (73)

GOALS

Giants: Perryman 4, Greene 4, Cameron 3, Coniglio 2, Lloyd 2, Langdon, Finlayson

Geelong: Duncan 3, Hawkins 2, Ablett, Miers, Dangerfield, Dahlhaus, O’Connor, Rohan

BEST

Giants: Perryman, Greene, Hopper, Haynes, de Boer, Whitfield

Geelong: Duncan, Stewart, Ablett, Selwood, Tuohy, Blicavs

INJURIES

Giants: Adam Kennedy (hamstring)

Geelong: TBC

Reports: Nil

Originally published as AFL 2020: GWS moves on from Grand Final heartache after pushing Geelong aside