Giants’ biggest fourth quarter comeback shakes up AFL top four

The GWS Giants have announced their premiership credentials, pulling off their biggest ever fourth quarter comeback against Hawthorn.

Tom Green celebrates the matchwinning goal. Photo by Phil Hillyard

The GWS Giants will finish the weekend in the AFL’s top four after a stunning 28-point comeback in the final quarter to edge past Hawthorn 12.12 (84) to 12.10 (82) in Canberra.

The stunning final quarter comeback is the biggest in Giants history, eclipsing the 25 point deficit against the Tigers in round 9 of 2017.

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Having been outside the top eight as recently as round 16, the Giants are now on a five-game winning streak, which sets up a mouth-watering clash with the red-hot Brisbane Lions at the Gabba next Saturday afternoon.

The Giants more than doubled their three-quarter time score of 5.11 (41) in the final quarter as the Hawks looked destined to claim a fourth straight win, having come into the match after winning eight of their last nine matches.

GWS coach Adam Kingsley revealed post-match that the three-quarter time message was to “getting back to looking like a Giants style of footy”.

“I thought for the most part — partly because of us, partly because of Hawthorn’s defence — we were a little slow, I thought we were a little boring with the ball to be fair,” Kingsley said.

But while the result has elevated the Giants into the top four, it’s left the Hawks a win outside the top eight in 10th ahead of their own blockbuster clash against Carlton next Sunday, although their final two opponents are the lowly North Melbourne and Richmond.

In front of a sold out Manuka Oval crowd, the decision from Giants coach Adam Kingsley to inject forward Brent Daniels into the midfield was a masterstroke, as the Giants scored seven goals to two to romp home for the two-point victory.

Hell of a finish for the Giants. Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

In the final quarter, Daniel has 12 disposals and six score involvements, as well as a goal for himself.

“This was the move of the day,” St Kilda champion Nick Dal Santo told Fox Footy post-match.

“It was significant, and it was probably forced, to be honest. (They had) to get some energy into that midfield … the half-forward goes into the midfield.

“Without him, that result doesn’t happen today.”

Along with Daniels, Jesse Hogan was outstanding yet again kicking five majors to move past Charlie Curnow and into outright first in the Coleman Medal race.

Two of his majors came in the last quarter as the Giants ran over a Hawks side that went into their shell a touch, with captain Toby Greene continuing his excellent second half of the season with two goals of his own late for three majors all up.

The matchwinning moment though came courtesy of the favourite son in Canberra in local boy Tom Green.

With time ticking down, Green roved a pack inside attacking 50 superbly and snapped an effort on his left foot for what would prove to be the deciding shot at goal.

Post-match, Green admitted to Fox Footy that the Hawks probably deserved the points.

“The Hawks were the better side for most of the day … but the resilience of the group … we never feel like we’re out of the game, and we showed that again today,” Green said.

“There’s a lot to work on, but it was a great finish … they (Hawthorn) have been a fantastic side for most of the year now, and they were running really hot, so we knew it was going to be tough — but I’m just really proud of everyone for being able to dig in and turn it around in the last quarter.”

The Giants are back in the top four. Photo by Phil Hillyard

Along with Green’s goal, a superb tackle at halfback by Jack Buckley on James Sicily late on as the Hawks captain went forward to try and win them the game, would prove vital in the heroic victory.

The defeat is a devastating one for the Hawks but once more their slick set-up defensively and efficient movement going forward was on show as they suffocated the Giants run for most of the afternoon.

They extended their lead at every break of the game with Jai Newcombe their best with 30 touches and 11 clearances.

With Daniel Garb, NewsWire