GWS Giants come of age to upset Sydney Swans in first qualifying final

THE GWS Giants created history on Saturday, with their 36-point victory to be remembered mostly for its sheer brutality and high attrition rate.

Toby Greene’s GWS Giants defeated the Sydney Swans in the first AFL Qualifying Final at ANZ Stadium. Picture: Phil Hillyard

IF THE Sydney rivalry wasn’t real before, it certainly is now.

The first Sydney derby final was supposed to be highlighted by the work ethic and accountability of the Sydney Swans and the speed and skill of the young Greater Western Sydney.

Instead, the Giants’ 36-point victory will be remembered mostly for its sheer brutality and high attrition rate. Both on the ground and, perhaps, in the tribunal room sequel that could follow.

Almost from the first bounce two Sydney teams who had been more like friendly cousins than jealous cross-town rivals ripped into each other with fierce intent. This was not merely a football final but a genuine turf war.

The prize, of course, was not just the keys to the city. Just five years ago the Giants arrived in the west as hopeless, unloved easybeats. Now, incredibly, they are just one home ground victory from appearing in a historic first grand final.

If the Giants get that far, it will be an achievement born of the blood of the Bloods.

Sydney's Lance Franklin and Giant Steve Johnson came to blows on the quarter-time siren. Picture: Phil Hillyard

With such brutal aggression from both sides a high attrition rate was inevitable. The Swans fared worse. Tough midfielder Josh Kennedy spent some time on the bench after a head knock, ruck-forward Kurt Tippett also copped a heavy blow, Rising Star winner Callum Mills went down with a hamstring injury in the first quarter and young forward Tom Papley hobbled on a wounded knee.

So, perhaps inevitably, it was the younger, fleeter and fitter Giants who emerged from the first-half carnage with a spring in their step. Although the Giants’ concerns could come later with veteran forward Steve Johnson and ruckman Shane Mumford both likely to come under scrutiny from the Match Review Panel.

In a match marked by incident, one moment would prove most crucial. Midway through what had been a goalless third quarter, and with the Giants leading by just two points, Swans’ forward Isaac Heeney seemed to take a mark 30m from goal.

But the umpires waved play-on and the Giants rebounded to forward Jeremy Cameron who goaled. Then, in quick succession, the brilliant young GWS forward kicked two more breaking open what had been a tough, but never dour stalemate.

GWS Giants sing their song after their historic first finals win. Picture: Phil Hillyard

When Giants’ midfielder Stephen Coniglio kicked the first goal of the final quarter, the Swans were broken. From premiership favourites last week, it will now take a might effort to put an aching team back together.

The game had erupted from the outset. When muscular giants Lance Franklin and Shane Mumford tangled during the first quarter, the rivalry had never seemed so real.

The was just one of series of skirmishes that would continue through the way. Push and shove, jumper punches, pushing off the ball. The nasty niggle of a territorial war.

For a game that had created such high anticipation the first ten minutes particularly were a mad scramble. The stiff breeze? The physical pressure? Finals nerves? Whatever the cause the execution was poor but the intensity sky high.

As the game opened up, it was sometimes like sports played on the same field. The tough inside grind and dabby, precise ball use of the Swans against the lightning transition play of the Giants.

The charismatic Lance Franklin and Steve Johnson had been poster boys for the event. Both plenty of the ball, Johnson peppering away at goal with some typically cheeky shots, while Franklin did a power of work up the ground. But neither was able to make a big impact on the scoreboard.

GWS forward Jeremy Cameron kicked four goals.

Instead it was the run in the legs of the Giants’ midfielders that determined the outcome. Young GWS midfielder Lachie Whitfield had been the subject of some pre-game controversy. It did not detract from his performance, his relentless outside running a key to many Giants thrusts.

The decision to play the game at ANZ Stadium was vindicated by the crowd of 60,222. A sea of red and white was pocked with orange life rafts. But if the roars for the Swans were louder, the Giants seemed more energised by their support.

It was the last AFL game to be played at the venue that will soon cater only for rectangular football codes. It will not soon be forgotten.

GWS GIANTS 3.4 5.9 9.13 12.19 (91)

SYDNEY SWANS 3.3 5.7 6.10 7.13 (55)

GOALS

Giants: Cameron 4, Greene 2, Scully 2, Ward, Smith, Whitfield, Coniglio

Swans: Jack 2, Papley 2, McGlynn, Hewett, Kennedy

Umpires: Shaun Ryan, Ray Chamberlain, Mathew Nicholls

Official Crowd: 60,222 at ANZ Stadium

Originally published as GWS Giants come of age to upset Sydney Swans in first qualifying final