AFL: Giant coin toss controversy as tempers boil over in Western Bulldogs’ win over GWS

GWS caused a stir with its pre-match mind games that saw a coin toss swap labelled “immature” and “strange” before a fiery loss to the Dogs.

Nick Haynes caused a stir by heading to the centre circle.

The GWS Giants were cut down to size on Friday night by a ferocious Western Bulldogs outfit desperate for its first win of 2020.

The Dogs out-muscled the Sydneysiders 8.9 (57) to 4.9 (33) at Marvel Stadium, handing them a second consecutive defeat.

DAVIS, COACHES RESPOND TO COIN TOSS QUESTION

Giants captain Stephen Coniglio took everyone by surprise when he handballed his pre-match coin toss duties off to teammate Nick Haynes, who instead ventured to the centre circle opposite Dogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli.

Last year Haynes fractured his larynx after a clash with Bontempelli, leading many to suggest that was the reason for the unexpected coin toss face-off.

Channel 7’s Bruce McAvaney was taken aback, saying “gee this is interesting” while his commentary colleague Wayne Carey added: “Coniglio, it would have been only the third time he’d tossed the coin and he sent Haynes in.”

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said it was “peculiar” to see Haynes take Coniglio’s place.

“I wasn’t sure whether he (Haynes) had a milestone. If he didn’t, it was strange,” Beveridge said.

Giants coach Leon Cameron said he “wouldn’t look anything into it” because he has bigger issues to worry about after his side’s 24-point loss.

“Haynes took it while Coniglio was addressing the group,” he said. “I’ve got more problems than worrying about who tosses the coin than nutting down and making sure our contested ball is right.”

GWS backman Phil Davis defended the eyebrow-raising move, saying it was motivated by a desire to give other players leadership experience.

“Cogs (Coniglio) is always trying to develop the next bunch, so he’s giving him (Haynes) an opportunity,” Davis said.

The coin toss certainly captured the attention of social media, with AFL reporter Mitch Cleary labelling the swap “immature”.

They had their say on Bont last year when one of their players scratched his eyes. Why anymore?

— Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) June 19, 2020

GWS sent Haynes to do the toss with Bont 👀#AFLDogsGiants pic.twitter.com/3FklukR1D6

— 7AFL (@7AFL) June 19, 2020

ALL-IN BRAWLS BREAK OUT

The Giants went after Bontempelli all night, like they did last season, trying to knock the classy midfielder out of the game as footy’s newest rivalry turned ugly.

The Dogs beat GWS in the 2016 preliminary final on their way to a drought-breaking flag and since then the two sides have developed a serious dislike for each other — fuelled further by Bontempelli’s hit on Haynes in 2019, for which he escaped sanction.

Tagger Matt de Boer was given the job on the Dogs’ spiritual leader and set the tone early in the physicality stakes, leading AFL legend Chris Judd to tell Triple M: “It does look like the Giants are putting Marcus Bontempelli’s head on a plate tonight.”

The home team should have gone into the break at three-quarter time ahead by 21 points but as the siren sounded the tension that been building all night boiled over.

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An all-in brawl erupted and Bontempelli was slung to the ground as players came rushing in to join the melee.

It took more than 30 seconds for the umpire to separate everyone and after that, Tom Liberatore had a set shot to extend the lead and he sent the Sherrin through the big sticks to make it 50-23.

That only sparked more mayhem and a second brawl broke out, Giants defender Heath Shaw firing up big time. Carey even suggested de Boer came from the bench to join the scuffle.

CHECK OUT THE BRAWLS IN THE VIDEO PLAYER AT THE TOP OF THIS ARTICLE

Really hoping the scuffles in footy become more regular. Something unique to the sport and a great part of the game. I know the league is looking to minimize them by handing out fines but c’mon man let them go! #AFLDogsGiants

— Mason Cox (@masonsixtencox) June 19, 2020

The Giants and Dogs brought back the biff.