AFL round 7: GWS’ young guns shine in 113-59 demolition of Brisbane

The starpower was missing, but the Orange Tsunami was still in full effect, as the Giants claimed a big win over Brisbane in Canberra, as the Lions’ season continued to go awry.

Lachlan McKirdy and Jakson Bartoli

3 min read

April 26, 2024 - 8:47AM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 25: Callum M. Brown of the Giants celebrates a goal during the round seven AFL match between Greater Western Sydney Giants and Brisbane Lions at Manuka Oval on April 25, 2024 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/AFL Photos/via Getty Images )

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The kids go alright for the Giants.

The AFL’s youngest team has never been short of talent, blessed with multiple All-Australian calibre players over their lifespan.

But without Toby Greene, Sam Taylor and Stephen Coniglio in Canberra, they had to find other sources of inspiration. Thursday night’s 54-point win over the Lions was a glimpse into the future as the club’s youngest players put on an Anzac Day show to remember.

Last week’s defeat to Carlton was a wake-up call for the Giants’ midfield. They were destroyed around the stoppages and the five-day turnaround played into their hands as it was clear they had a point to prove.

Within the opening few minutes, they had two quick goals through Callum Brown and Tom Green, both from outside 50. Kieren Briggs grabbed the momentum early in his match-up against Brisbane’s second-string ruckman Darcy Fort, with Oscar McInerney out of the game through concussion protocols.

The Giants dominated the second half to claim the four points. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images )

All eyes then turned to the game’s debutant, Darcy Jones. His fleet of foot was on display, lighting up Manuka Oval with his blistering pace. A group of nearly 30 of his family and friends had flown over to the nation’s capital from Perth, and they didn’t have to wait long to celebrate as he kicked his first goal within 10 minutes.

The Lions were always going to bite back. Charlie Cameron and Cam Rayner both picked up a couple of goals while Lincoln McCarthy kicked a beautiful snap in his 150th game. But the Giants remained within striking distance. In the second half, they pounced.

Coming into the game, Brisbane was the number one team for stoppage clearance differential. By the final siren, they lost that count 28-20.

The third quarter was where the Giants hammered home their advantage, keeping the Lions goalless and kicking five of their own. Brown and Jake Riccardi both added to their tallies, while Harry Perryman produced a silky sidestep to kick his first of the year.

Jones continued to bring the fans to their feet, while 18-year-old Harvey Thomas played beyond his years.

Brisbane’s season continues to spiral. (Photo by Jason McCawley/AFL Photos/via Getty Images )

It was also a coming-of-age performance from Finn Callaghan who produced arguably the best game of his career. The third-year player regularly took on the corridor and barely missed a target by foot, again showing why he’s the key man in Adam Kingsley’s orange tsunami game plan.

Callaghan finished with 32 disposals, while hometown hero Tom Green led the way with 37 of his own.

Of course, there was a space for their experienced stars to shine. Callan Ward used all his years to win free kicks out of Lachie Neale and Josh Dunkley, each time the whistle went in his favour a cheeky grin came across his face.

Jesse Hogan had one of his quieter nights for the year, but still made his dominance felt with some strong marks. Lachie Whitfield also saw plenty of it and finished with 30+ disposals again.

Darcy Jones kicked two on debut. (Photo by Jason McCawley/AFL Photos/via Getty Images )

Under the lights in prime time for the first time this season, it felt like a significant step forward for Kingsley’s men. Last year’s grand finalists had no answer to the relentless pressure, the Giants winning the tackles inside 50 count 22-4, and the final quarter turned into a procession for one of this year’s premiership favourites.

GWS kicked nine goals to two in the second half as the Lions’ year moved towards critical mass. There were hardly any positives to take out of the trip for the visitors as they move to 2-5 for the year.

But it was fitting that the final two goal-kickers for the Giants were their two young stars, Thomas and Jones. With his bright orange headgear acting as a marker throughout the night, the first gamer came from the ground to a standing ovation in the dying moments of the clash.

They travelled to Canberra having only won one of their past 10 matches without their captain, Toby Greene. But the Giants left with a fantastic look at the youngsters set to lead them across the next decade and beyond.