A Battle-worn GIANTS side has staged a stunning comeback to condemn Richmond to another nightmare loss, scoring a goal with just over a minute to go to secure a three-point win at Spotless Stadium on Saturday night.
Jeremy Cameron’s shot was the icing on a final-quarter run of 33 points to five, which few expected the injury-depleted GIANTS were capable of staging.
Just moments earlier the Tigers thought they had sealed it after debutant Shai Bolton snapped a goal, but the score review showed it was clearly touched and the GIANTS were able to reset.
Richmond led for all but the final fateful moments, by 31 points at quarter-time, 21 at the main break and 25 at three-quarter time.
The GIANTS had come as close as 15 points during the second term, but looked done and dusted until their courageous final assault.
Cameron kicked three goals for the GIANTS, while Josh Kelly (32 touches) headed a gutsy midfield effort alongside Lachie Whitfield (30), Dylan Shiel (28) and Tom Scully (24).
Richmond ushered in several new faces after a winless month, but it was their dependable campaigners who spearheaded their performance.
Top-possession gatherers Dustin Martin, Shaun Grigg and captain Trent Cotchin led by example in exposing the GIANTS, whose momentum seemed sapped.
The Tigers streaked ahead from the get-go, but would later regret their inability to bury their hosts.
The signs were dire for the GIANTS early on. After the Tigers nailed two goals inside the first 100 seconds, the sluggish GIANTS defence left the door open for the visitors, who accepted the invitation with a further four goals to one.
The Tigers spread the GIANTS at will, entered inside 50 with ease and outworked their opponents across the ground. Combined with Toby Nankervis troubling Shane Mumford in the ruck, and with the Tigers’ backmen impeccably organised by the classy Alex Rance, it was hard to see a way back for the GIANTS, even at that early stage.
A couple of early second-quarter goals masked continuing problems. However, as the term progressed the GIANTS increasingly found open spaces and were helped by the Tigers’ errant accuracy in front of goal.
While short of a comeback, the GIANTS stopped the deluge in the second quarter, scoring three goals to one to reduce a 31-point first period gap to 21 points at the main break.
The scent of revival grew stronger early in the third term with some impressive passages of play by the GIANTS. But stamina became Richmond’s strength, as it turned the tide of uncontested possession, seeing it to a three-goal-to-two term and a 25-point lead.
Richmond had chances early in the fourth quarter to close out the match but sprayed three shots wide, allowing the GIANTS an opportunity to conjure a big last push.
More to come
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 1.2 4.5 6.9 11.12 (78)
RICHMOND 6.3 7.8 10.10 10.15 (75)
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Cameron 3, Reid 2, Scully, Lobb, Williams, Greene, Taranto, de Boer
Richmond: Riewoldt 2, Menadue 2, Cotchin 2, Castagna 2, Grigg, Lloyd
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Kelly, Shiel, Wilson, Whitfield, Scully, Davis
Richmond: Rance, Martin, Grigg, Nankervis, Cotchin, Houli
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Nil
Richmond: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Fisher, Schmitt, Findlay
Official crowd: 10,677 at Spotless Stadium
