The Greater Western Sydney GIANTS have shown enormous courage and determination today, defeating the Brisbane Lions Reserves by 37 points at home.
After battling through a physical, tough first quarter the home side continued to build their momentum throughout the match, running, tackling and applying intense pressure on the Lions forwards.
Consecutive goals from Israel Folau and Jeremy Cameron late in the second quarter shot the GIANTS out in front, giving them the kick start that they needed to run away with their lead throughout the rest of the match.
Tasmanian GIANT Sam Darley was among the best today with 25 possessions. Darley said that the GIANTS coaching staff were pleased with today’s performance and the way that their side responded to the physicality of the more experienced Lions.
“I’m feeling really good. It’s great to get our second win against an AFL reserves side. The coaches will be very happy.
“I think that in the first half, to their credit, the Lions really put it to us.
“It was a really tough first half and to respond the way that we did in the second half, working hard to kick away, really meant a lot to the boys.”
Darley smiled through his post match interview and said that highlights of the match included Jeremy Cameron chasing down and tackling a Lions forward who was running into an open goal and Alex Carey’s goal from the boundary line which sparked the whole GIANTS team to flock to Carey in celebration.
“Jeremy Cameron’s run down was awesome.
“A few of the goals that Izzy Folau kicked were great too, he’s really accurate with his set shots and he kicked one after he ducked under an opponent and snapped it through from the boundary. It’s amazing how far he’s come from pre season.
“Alex Carey’s goal from the boundary was probably the highlight of the day. That was one of the best goals that I’ve ever seen live. We were very happy with that.”
The GIANTS dominated play in the middle of the ground in the third quarter, allowing Josh Bruce and Alex Carey to kick consecutive goals. This enabled the home side to build on their lead through the third and fourth quarters where the GIANTS have traditionally allowed their opponents to shift the momentum of the match.
“I think the four quarter effort has come with a bit of maturity. We’ve grown so much this year as a group and the improvement that we’ve seen from November last year, when we started to now is just ridiculous.
“We’re a young side and it’s going to take time but we’re slowly learning and getting the hang of things, like our press and team structures.
“Attacking wise we’re fine but there are still a lot of finer aspects of our game that we have to learn,” Darley said.
Darley said that today’s win would instill confidence in the GIANTS squad ahead of their clash with the Sydney Swans Reserves in two weeks.
“I think a game like this gives us a bit of belief.
“The reserve sides have been tough for us. We beat the SUNS but obviously the Swannies have knocked us off three times now and we lost to the Lions the first time,” he said.
“Coming off the bye next week, the coaches will want to see that effort against the Swans so hopefully we can back it up.”
GWS GIANTS
16.15.111
Brisbane Lions
11.8.74
Bests
Townsend
Darley
Giles
Treloar
Shiel
Bugg
GIANTS goal kickers
Israel Folau 4
Curtly Hampton 3
Jeremy Cameron 2
Alex Carey 2
Jacob Townsend 2
Adam Treloar
Sam Schulz
Josh Bruce
