GWS Giants slaughtered by relentless Richmond in lopsided maiden Grand Final appearance
GWS star Jeremy Cameron says the Giants can go one of two ways from their ‘embarrassing’ Grand Final performance. And he’s confident it will make them stronger.
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Jeremy Cameron has described his side’s Grand Final performance as “embarrassing” but vowed the Giants will recover from it.
The Coleman medallist admitted to a strong mix of emotions following its heavy loss to Richmond on Saturday.
“I’m proud of the club and what we’ve been able to do with obviously our first Grand Final,” he said.
“It is enormous for this small club that we’re building, but at the same time we’re disappointed with the result.
“It’s a really hard feeling at the moment and a little bit embarrassing with the way the scoreboard blew out at the end.”
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Cameron challenged his teammates to use the pain they were currently feeling and turn it into something they could build on in 2020.
“I was saying to some of our younger boys that it is moments like this that make winning so good,” he said.
“It’s crazy the feelings we had last week compared to the feeling we have right now.
“I think that’s what makes sport so good.
“You can kind of go two ways, you can fall away and not want to get back here next year or you can work harder and become better footballers and make sure we have another crack at it.
“I know what this club will do.”
Cameron booted the opening goal of the Grand Final but struggled to make an impact after that.
He said he had no doubt the players would learn plenty from the club’s first Grand Final appearance.
“I’m not sure when we will get over it but one thing I know for certain is we will and we will come back stronger,” he said.
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Midfield star Tim Taranto summed up the mood of a distraught playing group who had their dream turn into a nightmare at the MCG which will be difficult to erase.
“Shit. Worst-case scenario today,” Taranto said.
“It was a dream for four weeks and then probably ended the worst way possible.
“I just wish (we played) a game for all the world to see. For our fans. (Instead) it was a bit embarrassing but we definitely take a lot out of (the finals).”
The 25 points mustered by GWS in the abject 89-point thrashing, was its lowest ever output, even in the early years when they were boys playing against men.
It was also the lowest score in a grand final since 1960, the equal-fifth lowest in grand finals and only the sixth time in AFL history a team has failed to pass 25.
AFL legend Leigh Matthews said: on 3AW “It’s a sad and embarrassing day because it’s hard enough to get here but they’ll bounce back, it’s not the be-all and end-all and only one game of footy.”
Coach Leon Cameron admitted his players came into halftime “stunned” but not without hope.
Post-match, he declared one of the heaviest defeats in grand final history would not “tarnish” the achievement of making the club’s first ever grand final.
“I don’t think it tarnishes it. It’s just disappointing because it’s not the end you want to have to a year that has had some really good moments,” Cameron said.
“I don’t think it tarnishes your footy club.
“We are only eight years old and we understand we are in the most interesting part of Australia to grow Australian Rules footy in western Sydney with all the codes that are operating out of there.
“But we’re on the right track so I don’t think it tarnishes our brand, I think it enhanced our brand over the last month.
“But we do accept we need to be a bit better today because we let ourselves down a little bit.”
Cameron said the players would have to address exactly what went wrong on grand final day, but that therapy would wait until the dust settles.
Star Zac Williams said Cameron’s post match message was simple: aspire to be like the ruthless Richmond celebrating in the room next door.
“He just touched on how proud he was of the boys to come this far after all the hurdles we had to overcome,” Williams said.
“He talked about Richmond, that’s what we aspire to get too.
“They’re a powerhouse and that’s what we want to be in the coming years.”
Next year GWS can be boosted in the knowledge they get their two best midfielders back on the field, Stephen Coniglio and Callan Ward.
On paper the Giants will be better, now it’s about delivering on that promise.
“Yeah for sure. We’ve gone one better every year since we came into the league so we’ll just have to do that again next year and see where it takes us,” Taranto said.
RICHMOND 2.3 7.5 12.9 17.12 (114)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 1.2 1.6 2.7 3.7 (25)
Goals: Richmond: J Riewoldt 5 D Martin 4 T Lynch 2 D Rioli I Soldo K Lambert M Pickett S Bolton T Cotchin.
Greater Western Sydney: H Himmelberg J Cameron J Hopper. Umpires: Shaun Ryan, Matt Stevic, Ray Chamberlain.
Official Crowd: 100,014 at MCG.
Victoria Police is currently searching for the GWS Giants after they went missing from the MCG on Saturday afternoon. They were last seen trying to make a #bigbigsound but were instead quaking in their boots. NSW Police Force do you have any leads?
— Victoria Police (@VictoriaPolice) September 28, 2019
GWS final score of 3.7 (25) the lowest in an #AFLGF since 1960. Came in with reputation as September's toughest side. Instead they were hunted, pressured and sat on their bum. Terrific season with a bitterly disappointing ending
— Sam Edmund (@SammyHeraldSun) September 28, 2019
Can take away 22 for @GWSGIANTS players. https://t.co/gQcQTy82yd
— Anthony Radford (@radford1975) September 28, 2019
I almost forgot that GWS had goal posts up their end! #AFLGF
— Y[EL]LOW AND BLACK 💛🖤 (@himynameisele) September 28, 2019
Rich v GWS pic.twitter.com/CcM8ygYoaZ
— 🇦🇺 EKSACUTE_ORDER66 🔴⚫ (@shanerliddy) September 28, 2019
It's a pity GWS didn't wear the orange today. The traditional colour of witches hats. #AFLGF #AFLTigersGiants
— Darryl Berg (@ossienet) September 28, 2019
I'm a #Tigers supporter from way back, but I'm starting to feel sorry for #GWS. How about that Picket fella though?
— Richard Crowden (@ScaredyCat44) September 28, 2019
This is the worst display of AFL football by an elite team I have ever seen. GWS just don't care. Should apologise to their fans🤢🤮.#AFLGF #AFLTigersGiants #AFL #aflgrandfinal2019
— OhWeLLmaDuDe (@NickProuse1) September 28, 2019