GWS turns up defensive heat in big JLT Series win over Collingwood

THERE has been drama aplenty in the nation’s capital in recent weeks but there was none for the GWS Giants as they cruised past Collingwood in last night’s JLT Series clash.

Chris Mayne tackles Adam Tomlinson. Pic: Getty Images

THERE has been drama aplenty in the national capital in recent weeks but there was none for the GWS Giants as they cruised past Collingwood in the easiest of fashion, downing them by 60 points at UNSW Canberra Oval.

After leading by 11 points at halftime, the Giants put the foot on the pedal in the third term, kicking 6.7 to nothing. They then added another four in the last term.

The scoring was impressive but it was their defensive work rate which caught the eye. Their tackles inside forward 50 were devastating (16-3).

SUPERCOACH: EVERY SCORE FROM GWS v COLLINGWOOD

Dylan Shiel was best on ground and provided a reminder of what the Giants lost when he was knocked out of the preliminary final by Trent Cotchin’s high bump.

Jon Patton spoils Mason Cox in Canberra. Pic: Getty Images

The silky midfielder put on a masterclass in ball winning and disposal with a game-high 29 possessions and two goals.

GWS look like they may have found part of the solution to their loss of running defenders Nathan Wilson (Fremantle) and Zac Williams (Achilles) because Lachie Whitfield continued his good form at halfback.

He was among their best against the Swans last Friday night and found the ball at will against the Magpies. His clean ball use and hard two-way running were just what coach Leon Cameron was looking for.

Heath Shaw and Tim Broomhead fly for a mark. Pic: Getty Images

Steele Sidebottom was his polished self. Pic: Getty Images

Heath Shaw continued his experimental excursion up the field to the wing and showed his class.

There was also plenty for Cameron to like among the developing players, including rookie Nick Shipley, defender Jeremy Fin­layson and second-year player ­Lachie Tiziani.

Tiziani booted two for the night and, along with Daniel Lloyd (three goals), put his hand up for round-one selection following the off-season departures of Devon Smith (Essendon) and Steve Johnson (retired).

Shipley is the Giants’ first player from Sydney’s west and showed plenty of ball-winning ability.

Stand-in Giants coach Mark McVeigh was pleased the team came through unscathed.

“We got plenty of time into the players that needed it and we come away with no injuries and some young players getting a taste of AFL footy,” McVeigh said.

It was ideal conditions for the JLT clash. Pic: Getty Images

For Collingwood, reigning Copeland Trophy winner Steele Sidebottom was comfortably his side’s best, while former Giants Taylor Adams and Will Hoskin-Elliott both tried hard against their old club.

Skipper Scott Pendlebury was subdued early but slowly worked his way into the contest after spending time forward in his first game since round 17 last year.

The Pies’ top pick in last year’s draft, Jaidyn Stephenson, showed glimpses of his talent, while the pairing of Brodie Grundy and Mason Cox also looked well worth persisting with as both big men each enjoyed some encouraging moments.

Defender Adam Oxley will undergo tests on Friday after going off with a shoulder injury.

“We’ve got a bit of work to do,” coach Nathan Buckley said after the match.

“We threw a few things around tonight and there was a bit of posturing, given we play each other in a month (round two).”

The Magpies were missing a host of big names, including Daniel Wells, Alex Fasolo, Jamie Elliott, Jeremy Howe, Darcy Moore and Adam Treloar.

SCOREBOARD

GWS 2.2 4.3 10.8 14.12 (96) def COLLINGWOOD 1.3 2.4 2.4 5.6 (36)

Goals: Greater Western Sydney: D Lloyd 3 D Shiel 2 H Himmelberg 2 L Tiziani 2 C Ward D Simpson J Cameron J Patton T Taranto. Collingwood: B Reid M Cox S Pendlebury T Phillips W Hoskin-Elliott.

Venue: Manuka Oval.

– with AAP

Originally published as GWS turns up defensive heat in big JLT Series win over Collingwood