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Dire AFL trend continues as GWS Giants fail to qualify for finals

The GWS Giants have officially failed to qualify for the finals, continuing an alarming trend following lopsided AFL grand finals.

The GWS Giants have officially failed to qualify for the finals, continuing an alarming trend regarding lopsided AFL grand finals.
The GWS Giants have officially failed to qualify for the finals, continuing an alarming trend regarding lopsided AFL grand finals.

After playing in last year’s grand final, the Greater Western Sydney Giants will not feature in the 2020 AFL finals series.

The Giants’ season officially came to an end on Friday evening after suffering a demoralising 12.10 (82) to 3.12 (30) loss to St Kilda at the Gabba.

With only eight wins from 17 encounters, GWS can still finish in ninth spot on the AFL ladder, but even that’s statistically very unlikely.

It’s the first time since 2015 the Giants have failed to qualify for the finals.

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St Kilda were only ahead by nine points at halftime, but dominated the final two quarters, racing to a comfortable victory in Brisbane.

Shamefully, the Giants were unable to muster a goal in the second half.

The club’s underwhelming season continued an alarming trend in the AFL — as pointed out by 7AFL, teams which lose by more than 45 points in a grand final regularly struggle to rediscover their form the following season.

SEASON AFTER 45+ POINT LOSS IN AFL GRAND FINAL

Melbourne — 11th (2001)

Collingwood — 13th (2004)

Port Adelaide — 13th (2008)

St Kilda — 7th (2011)

Sydney — 5th (2015)

West Coast — 7th (2016)

Adelaide — 12th (2018)

Jake Riccardi of the GWS Giants.
Jake Riccardi of the GWS Giants.

AFL LIVE SCORES: Round 18 match centres

The Giants are also the ninth club since 1998 to miss finals the season after competing in an AFL grand final.

Herald Sun reporter Tim Michell tweeted: “GWS has gone from averaging 88 points a game (ranked #4) last year to 61 this year.

“This looks like the third game in last four they (won’t) reach 50 points. What has gone so wrong?”

Channel 10 journalist Stephen Quartermain posted: “The GWS Giants had a darn good side for a few years. Couldn’t nail an AFL premiership.

“I reckon they’ve missed their window of opportunity.”

Sports journalist Adam Curley tweeted: “Giants a mess, horrible season. Massive questions to be asked and plenty of fallout to come you’d think. Hard to believe they won’t play finals.”

ESPN reporter Niall Seewang posted: “Cannot fathom a group of individuals this talented playing this poorly as a collective. So many Giants having career-worst seasons.”

Channel 7 presenter Andy Maher posted: “Giants’ final games of 2019 and 2020 been remarkably similar. This isn’t anywhere near the team some pundits still believe it to be.”

Sydney Morning Herald journalist Greg Baum bluntly tweeted: “GWS should resign from the competition.”

Melbourne great Garry Lyon told AFL Nation: “This team could potentially be remembered as a one-time grand final team that got their pants pulled down.”

GWS coach Leon Cameron told reporters after the round 18 loss: “It was one big, disappointing season. We didn’t get going at all.”

Giants young gun Tom Green proved his worth in the midfield on Friday, managing 15 disposals, six marks and two behinds.

Seven News sports reporter Ryan Daniel tweeted: “Tom Green is 19 and yet constantly extracts the ball from congestion like he’s the big kid at Auskick. What a freak.”

St Kilda AFLW player Kate Shierlaw posted: “Tom Green is a super, super talent.”

Meanwhile, Giants forward Jake Riccardi was a nuisance for the St Kilda defenders, finishing with 11 disposals, five marks, two behinds and a goal.

Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd told 3AW: “I was really surprised that the Giants rested Jake Riccardi last week in a close game against the Demons. He is showing what he can bring to the team tonight.”

Lyon elaborated on AFL Nation: “He looks the most likely for the Giants when they’re going forward. He’s been impressive and he is engaged in the contest.”

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After recording their tenth win on the 2020 season, St Kilda will climb to sixth on the AFL ladder, securing a spot in the finals for the first time in nine years.

St Kilda coach Brett Ratten told Channel 7 after the final siren: “I’m extremely proud. At the start of the year you have a goal, and every team wants to play finals, but to tick it off it’s a part of our journey, it’s not our destination.

“This is just one part of the puzzle so I’m really pleased because our fans have waited for so long.

“So many players here haven’t even played finals so we get to tick that off but there’s still work to do.”

RSN radio host Adam White tweeted: “There might ultimately be a better football story this year, but the Brett Ratten story will be my favourite.

“What he’s managed to achieve this year for St Kilda in his own redemption story is truly inspirational.”

Lyon also praised the jubilant St Kilda coach in his maiden season with the club: “What a good return for Brett Ratten. He has delivered for St Kilda fans.”

Sports journalist Luke D’Anello posted: “Well done to the Saints. Brett Ratten could be Coach of the Year.”

Nine News sports reporter Alicia Muling tweeted: “So happy for Brett Ratten. He looks ecstatic.”

Fox Footy presenter Kath Loughnan posted: “Brett Ratten proving some sacked coaches deserve a second chance.”

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/dire-afl-trend-continues-as-gws-giants-fail-to-qualify-for-finals/news-story/bea1db8bbc58761ce14daa1013d39b3a