GWS Giants still a work in progress after struggling to put away winless Brisbane Lions
GWS banked another win but its premiership push remains a work in progress as the Giants struggled to stamp their authority on the persistent Brisbane Lions at Spotless Stadium.
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THE Giants have banked another win with a 34-point victory over Brisbane at Spotless Stadium but their premiership push remains a work in progress as they struggled to stamp their authority on the persistent Lions.
In a remarkably even performance the Giants had 10 different goal scorers and none in double figures in their fourth win of the year.
“You could say it’s an ugly win,” GWS coach Leon Cameron said.
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“When it’s an ugly win you’ve done some things right and some things wrong.”
Cameron’s cause won’t be helped by news Toby Greene could be out for a month after scans revealed a hot spot in his foot.
“I don’t think our medicos can say with confidence it’s going to two weeks, four weeks or six weeks,” Cameron said.
“He’s had a poor pre-season because of his issue with his foot through December, January and February. On Wednesday he started to feel sore. It’s not a fracture which is a good thing.”
With key forwards Jeremy Cameron and Jonathon Patton well held it was the work rate of Lachie Whitfield, Dylan Shiel, Matt de Boer, Brett Deledio and Stephen Coniglio who got the job done for GWS.
For Whitfield it was a welcome return to his form of the opening rounds when he dominated from defence. This time he enjoyed being back on familiar territory in the midfield as he worked from end to end from the opening bounce to the final siren. He finished with 33 disposals and a goal.
Coniglio provided another reminder of just what the Giants missed for most of last season with a great all-round display. A fit and in-form Coniglio will be a big bonus for Leon Cameron as he looks to go two steps further in 2018.
De Boer continued his high output with another strong display across half-back with a game high 34 touches.
The former Docker flew out of the blocks picking up 15 first-quarter possessions topping off his sparking display with a goal to extend the Giants’ lead to 33 points at half-time.
“Matt is probably in his prime,” Cameron said.
“He is improving every week he goes out there. The whole club is rapt for him because he’s had to do it hard.”
Without a recognised ruckman Adam Tomlinson did an excellent job negating in-form ruckman Stefan Martin after Jon Patton struggled with the job early in the match.
Campbelltown debutant Nick Shipley worked hard and will be better for his run in the top flight.
The only downside for the Giants came with a knee injury to explosive small forward Zac Langdon. Langdon was playing his first game since breaking his hand in the Round 2 win over Collingwood.
The Lions never seriously threatened GWS but worked hard till the end breaking even in contested football and losing the inside 50 count by just two.
They had plenty of the ball and worked hard defensively but their disposal was generally poor.
Skipper Dayne Beams was their best with 29 possessions in the midfield.
Key defender Darcy Gardiner also gave plenty of encouragement with an outstanding job on Jeremy Cameron keeping the talented forward to just one goal for the match.
In the absence of Luke Hodge, who was rested, Daniel Rich did a very good job playing the sweeping role in defence
The loss kept the Lions winless in 2018 and they won’t be helped by a report on Nick Robertson for a third-quarter hit on Harrison Himmelberg.
GWS GIANTS 3.4 6.9 8.11 10.17 (77)
BRISBANE LIONS 0.5 1.6 4.9 5.13 (43)
CORDY’S BEST
Giants: Whitfield, de Boer, Coniglio, Shiel, Deledio, Griffen.
Lions: Beams, Gardiner, Rich, Robinson, Witherden.
GOALS
Giants: Langdon, Cameron, Deledio, Lloyd, Tomlinson, de Boer, Himmelberg, Hopper, Whitfield, Griffen.
Lions: D.Beams, McStay, Taylor, Hipwood, Zorko.
INJURIES
Giants: Corr (shoulder), Langdon (knee).
Lions: Berry (ankle).
UMPIRES
O’Gorman, Hay, Mollison.
CROWD
10,046 at Spotless Stadium.
Originally published as GWS Giants still a work in progress after struggling to put away winless Brisbane Lions
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