Fans split as Giants and Kangaroos play out dramatic thriller

GWS and North Melbourne were involved in a season-first in Hobart on Sunday afternoon, which has divided the opinion of AFL fans.

GWS and North Melbourne players didn’t know how to react after the first draw of the AFL season. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

AFL fans are divided after GWS and North Melbourne played out the season’s first draw on Sunday afternoon in Hobart.

The Giants and Kangaroo couldn’t separated when the final siren sounded with both teams locked at 14.10 (94) apiece.

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The result leaves GWS languishing in 10th spot on the AFL ladder and the finals hopes hanging by a thread, while North Melbourne’s search for its second win of the season continues.

The Giants’ Sam Reid looks dejected after the Round 13 game against North Melbourne ended in a draw. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

After the game, debate raged on social media about the legitimacy of a draw as a result.

Some supporters argued the draw is equally as satisfying a spectacle as a win, while others called for five minutes of extra time to be introduced in home and away matches.

Never understood the hate for the draw. Can’t separate them after four quarters? Share the points. Great drama #AFLNorthGiants

— Sam Wilkinson (@WilkoSam) June 13, 2021

AFL should have a club members referendum on extra time after draws - just to put the idea to bed. #AFLNorthGiants

— Shayne Hope 📰 (@shayne_hope) June 13, 2021

GWS has now played in four of the last seven AFL draws; two of them have been in Tasmania.

R15 2017 vs Cats in Syd, R16 2017 vs Hawks in Launceston, R5 2018 vs Saints in Melb and now R13 2021 vs Roos.

North's first draw since R16, 2009 vs Richmond. @FOXFOOTY#AFLNorthGiants

— Max Laughton (@maxlaughton) June 13, 2021

Get rid of the DRAW, it’s yuk. Extra time #AFLNorthGiants#afl

— Jason Gram (@gramsy_1) June 13, 2021

Looking forward to all the American sports fanboys calling for extra time in the most predictable take ever.

— Daniel Cherny 📰 (@DanielCherny) June 13, 2021

It was a thrilling finish, with GWS coming back from 28 points down at three-quarter time to level the scores with just over a minute left on the clock.

Daniel Lloyd kicked two final-quarter goals but will be disappointed after blowing an opportunity to give the Giants a one-point lead with only seconds remaining.

He received a handball from Matt Flynn and launched a brilliant goal from beyond 50m to reduce North’s lead to six points, before taking a strong mark directly in front of goal and converting his set-shot to draw scores level with 77 seconds left on the clock.

Then with 14 seconds remaining in the game, Lloyd received the ball inside 50 and was running towards the pocket. Any score would’ve put the Giants in front.

Instead, the Giants forward’s shot at goal failed to register a score, going out of bounds on the full.

“He just had to score,” Western Bulldogs legend Brad Johnson told Fox Footy.

The Lloyd kick that would have won it for the Giants... 💔

📝 MATCH REPORT: https://t.co/d5R3md8FN2
🔢 MATCH CENTRE: https://t.co/jYYXFE9Z6cpic.twitter.com/DVAr0TG6zJ

— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) June 13, 2021

How did Lloyd miss everything then? 😢😢 #AFL#AFLNorthGiants

— Bernie Coen (@berniecoen) June 13, 2021

Daniel Lloyd needed the same goal umpire Aussie Jones had back in 2004, when St Kilda beat Brisbane Lions at the Telstra Dome. #AFLNorthGiants

— Sam Landsberger 🗯 (@SamLandsberger) June 13, 2021

Gun GWS midfielder Josh Kelly — who will be a free agent at the end of the season — was superb in a best on ground performance, racking up 39 disposals and kicking two goals.

The 26-year-old even kicked a contender for goal of the year in the last quarter.

Running into the forward pocket, Kelly snapped on his non-preferred right foot to keep GWS in the hunt.

Originally published as Fans split as Giants and Kangaroos play out dramatic thriller