GWS disappointed to let Adelaide clash slip but ready for fresh challenge against North Melbourne

Leon Cameron’s men could find no answer late against Adelaide, and after surrendering their grip on an all-important top-two spot, the Giants know they need to hit back.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA — JUNE 08: Dejected Giants leave the oval 2during the round 12 AFL match between the Adelaide Crows and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at Adelaide Oval on June 08, 2019 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Josh Kelly admits the GWS Giants must step up and add a final flourish to their game as they bid to bounce back quickly from late heartbreak against the Crows and see off North Melbourne on Sunday.

Leon Cameron’s men could find no answer as their hosts kicked the last four goals of Saturday night’s contest to win 12.10 (82) to 9.7 (61).

It had looked good at three-quarter time for the visitors with four goals on the bounce handing them the advantage but they couldn’t capitalise as Adelaide roared home.

“It’s disappointing, we knew it was going to be a slog coming over here against a hungry Crows,” Kelly told Giants TV.

“First three-quarters was a real tight tussle. For us not to not quite step up in the last was disappointing. But we have to take the learning points from that.

“It’s disappointing we couldn’t step up once they kicked a few early in the last. We felt like we had a bit of momentum from that third quarter. But we’ve had a solid year and now it’s on to bounce back and address those areas that weren’t good enough today.

Josh Kelly fired but the Giants fell short. Picture SARAH REED

“If we want to be a good team we’ve got to bounce back from these setbacks. Things aren’t going to be smooth all year.

“Good teams bounce back and hopefully we can do that.”

Cameron says his side must learn how to see the job through from start to finish as preparations begin for the trip to Tasmania to take on North Melbourne on Sunday.

The visitors, who were without the injured Toby Greene, were also slow into the contest with the hosts kicking the first goal inside 52 seconds.

“I thought our defence stood up for as long as they could,” Cameron said. “We found a way to scrap and make it tough for 60 minutes in the middle part of the game. It was disappointing they broke away in the last 10 minutes.

“We knew Adelaide would be up for the fight. I was proud we fought our way back into it but overall they had more winners than we did.

Kelly and the Giants now face a trip to Hobart to face the rejuvenated Kangas. Pic: Getty Images

“We’ve got to be better for longer if we’re going to compete with really good teams, so that’s an area of improvement we need to find.

“They were a bit harder for longer than us over the period.”

“We started poorly and ended poorly, it was disappointing.”

Tim Taranto was the standout performer for the Giants at Adelaide Oval, finishing with 36 disposals, seven tackles, seven clearances and five marks.

Josh Kelly wasn’t far behind (33 disposals, five marks, four tackles) with Stephen Coniglio and Heath Shaw contributing 27 disposals apiece.

Cameron is hopeful Greene will be good to go next week if gets through training while Nick Haynes will be monitored after picking up an ankle injury against the Crows.