The UWS GIANTS went down to their cross-town rivals the Sydney Swans by 65-points in their NEAFL match at ANZ Stadium.
The GIANTS beat the Swans by 63-points last time they met but were unable to repeat the result, as the top of the ladder Swans ran out winners (15.20) 110 to (6.9) 45.
GIANTS coach Brett Hand said inaccurate kicking around the ground and some poor decision making hurt his side. “The way we played was disappointing to say the least,” said Hand.
“I thought we started the game pretty well, we attacked the ball hard and had a good attitude but a few things didn’t go our way early and some costly turnovers in defence hurt us.
“Sydney hunted the ball with more intensity and also applied more pressure in contested situations.”
Defender Matt Buntine was a standout for the GIANTS, taking nine uncontested marks across the half back line and creating run out of defence.
“He (Buntine) was by far our best defender, his ability to leave his opponent to help a teammate was fantastic and he had numerous intercept marks down back,” Hand said.
Ex-Hawk Stephen Gilham and midfielder Dom Tyson, who had a run-with role, were also among the best.
Liam Sumner led the way up forward with two goals, while Brett Thornton, Sam Reid, Sam Frost and Shaun Edwards all kicked one major each.
The fifth placed GIANTS have one more match ahead of the finals, as they travel to Brisbane this week to take on the Lions at Giffin Park on Saturday.
Sydney Swans 15.20 (110) def. UWS GIANTS 6.9 (45)
Goals:
Sumner 2, Thornton , Reid , Frost , Edwards
Best:
Buntine, Gilham, Sumner, Tyson, Frost
