1. Has Toby Greene's luck run out with the MRP?
After his star forward was reported for headbutting last week, Leon Cameron admitted he'd sat down with Greene to let him know that he was getting close to crossing the line, and he finally did against the Bulldogs. The 2016 All Australian was reported for striking in the third term when a crude swinging arm collected Caleb Daniel late in a marking contest. The diminutive Dog was given a 50-metre penalty that landed him in the goalsquare, and he gave his side a five-point lead just before the final change. It was a big moment in the match, but if Greene cops a week or two, his next discussion with his coach might be a little more intense. The reigning club champion booted another three goals to take his tally to 20 for the year, but as Cameron said during the week, Greene’s not much good to the team if he's sitting on the sidelines.
2. The nation's capital is well and truly orange
The GIANTS' clash with the premiers was their first Friday night fixture and it was a packed house in Canberra as the locals came in their droves to support the 'home' side, with 14,048 fans packing the ground. GWS went into the game having won six of their last seven games at UNSW Canberra Oval, while the Bulldogs – who used to call the ground their second home - had won seven of their nine games at the venue. The GIANTS' foray into Canberra has been a raging success, and while they keep playing an exciting brand of footy, and winning games, their matches will continue to sell out. The GIANTS have passed the 4000 members mark in the ACT, currently have 18,801 in total, and the momentum is returning the code to it's glory days in the nation’s capital, after rugby league and rugby union took control for a number of years.
3. Tom Boyd one out against the GIANTS again
When Tom Campbell pulled out before the match with an ankle problem, it left Boyd as the Bulldogs' sole ruckman against in-form Giant Shane Mumford, and his back up Rory Lobb. The former number one draft pick excelled in last year's preliminary final when the Dogs lost Jordan Roughead during the game with an eye injury, and probably took the points against the GIANTS pair as his side won through to a famous Grand Final. Mumford dominated the hit outs with 52 for the night, but the Dogs had the better of the ground level action and lead the clearances at half-time, before the GIANTS eventually worked their way on top to shade the visitors 40-38. Boyd finished with 12 possessions and 22 hitouts and had the chance to be a hero late in the match, but his shot at goal was shanked to the top of the goalsquare.
4. Young guns step up
Between them they’ve played just 20 AFL games but second year GIANTS Jacob Hopper and Matt Kennedy walked into Leon Cameron’s office this week and asked for the job on Western Bulldogs superstar Marcus Bontempelli. The duo took it in turns to stalk the Premiership player and limited him to just 22 disposals for the game. Bontempelli had the upper hand when he was moved forward, kicking three goals for the night, but it was a big call from the young GIANTS and the good mates could have some more big names in their sights over the coming weeks.
5. Back to back Friday nights
It was the GIANTS’ first taste of Friday night lights in Canberra in round six but it’s a double dose for the young club as they back up with a seven-day break for another Friday night encounter in round seven. The GIANTS head to Melbourne to take on St Kilda at Etihad Stadium, again in the prime time slot and first game of the round. It’s another slice of history for the young club with two important milestones to celebrate too. Foundation GIANT Jeremy Cameron, who joined the club as a 17-year-old access selection, will line up for his 100th AFL game alongside his great mate and 2012 number 14 draft pick Devon Smith.
