Records tumble as GWS Giants thump Melbourne by 64 points despite key injuries

GWS has crushed Melbourne by 64 points, but it may have come at a major cost with Jonathon Patton suffering a potentially serious knee injury.

Melbourne v Greater Western Sydney at the M.C.G, Melbourne Australia. 17th August 2014. Greater Western Sydney's Rhys Palmer celebrates his goal in the first quarter. Pic :George Salpigtidis.

IT WAS a hard call as to what was more tragic — another Jonathon Patton knee injury or that Melbourne was thrashed by a side completely engulfed by injury.

The Demons were inconceivably overwhelmed by Greater Western Sydney by 64 points, despite the youngsters losing Phil Davis (concussion), Callan Ward (ankle) and Patton (knee) all before half-time and Adam Treloar (shoulder) playing under duress.

The Giants’ first win in Victoria has to be one of the greatest in their short history. While their co-captains sat in tracksuits and their best forward was rushed to hospital for scans, the undermanned kids put Melbourne to the sword.

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The likes of Devon Smith, Josh Kelly and Dylan Shiel not only dug-in, but provided flashes of brilliance that again reminded us that this is a side who will dominate the competition. It’s just a matter of time.

For Melbourne, it was as bad as it gets in front of just 17,218 fans. The Demons had kicked two goals up until three-quarter time and when the final siren sounded on their most insipid performance of the year, they’d managed only 3.16.

Jonathon Patton screams in pain after injuring his knee in the second term. Picture: Colleen Petch

Never has their lack of attacking intent and skill been as horribly obvious as this. The stupid thing was Melbourne even won clearances and contested ball.

The Dees kicked two goals in the first quarter, 0.5 in the second, 0.2 in the third and 1.3 in the last. No direct ball movement, indecision and endless comical fumbles — they went more than an hour between their second and third goals.

Coach Paul Roos has been hailed as the messiah, but it’s this sort of performance that causes fans to question the method. Who wants to watch this?

When the home side was pressing late in the third quarter, Max Gawn looked up to see Dom Barry and Daniel Cross as his only marking targets. In the last term Tom McDonald went to kick forward only to see three Giants players sitting back by themselves.

Jack Watts gives away 50m to Rhys Palmer, who finished the game with four goals. Picture: George Salpigtidis

“What do you stand for Melbourne?” screamed one fan in a near-vacant MCG, his frustration so audible you’d sware it was coming from your next door neighbour.

James Frawley finished with four kicks and zero influence. What sort of coin is he asking for again? When the free agent took one of his three marks in the third term the Bronx cheers echoed around the ground.

When Chris Dawes marked moments later he copped the same treatment. When Dean Kent kicked it straight to the opposition when a shot at goal beckoned he was directly booed.

It was horrible and hard to watch, but the Giants deserve huge praise. Already with a long injury list and three-men down before the main break, they actually out-ran the Demons until the final siren.

Rhys Palmer was sensational, not only muzzling Jeremy Howe in a defensive forward role, but helping himself to 4.2. He’s had his critics, Palmer, but this was exceptional.

Jeremy Howe outmarks Palmer. Picture: Colleen Petch

The Giants’ younger players, though, were incredible. Will Hoskin-Elliott had 16 possessions and 3.1 and looked capable of just about anything, Smith had 30 touches and Kelly’s 27 possessions and two goals were dripping with class.

Shiel provided the irresistible grunt and Shane Mumford was immense, rucking solo against Gawn and Mark Jamar. We could go on and on.

GWS assistant coach Luke Power described it beforehand as a “mini Grand Final” and a “huge game” and the Giants played accordingly.

As the Demons players were booed off the ground, Roos sat motionless and stunned up in the coaches box.

Originally published as Records tumble as GWS Giants thump Melbourne by 64 points despite key injuries