By Robert Griffin
@RLGriffin85
Suns vs. GIANTS recap
The GIANTS packed their bags and headed north this week as they took on the Gold Coast at the house of the rising Suns, Metricon Stadium. In just the second of what will be a long and fierce rivalry, the AFL’s youngest clubs battled it out, with the Suns running out eventual winners by five goals, squaring the ledger at one game apiece between the two sides.
In the world of Dream Team, where kicks and tackles equal points, it was the two recent Rising Star nominees in Adam Treloar (112 DT points) and Devon Smith (103 DT points) who stood tall for the GIANTS. Treloar, (who has averaged 109 points in the past month) collected 32 disposals in the absences of regular midfield trio Toby Greene, Stephen Coniglio and Callan Ward. If he has been on your field covering for power forward Lance Franklin, than he has more than field the void.
Treloar, who is having a late season surge of form was all over Metricon Stadium, whilst Devon Smith again showed us why he is one of the GIANTS most promising young players; snagging one goal and laying five tackles whilst collecting 25 possessions.
After starting last week as sub (having only played in the final quarter against Port Adelaide), Will Hoskin-Elliot booted five goals for the GWS with bursts of speed and high flying leaps that showed Giants fans why the he was selected as pick #4 in last year’s draft, amassing 96 Dream Team points, his highest for the year.
Co-Captain Phil Davis also had a day out, collecting 11 marks and 16 kicks for 95 DT points, 33 more than his season average.
GIANTS vs. Demons
This week the Giants will continue their road tripping season back down the federal highway to Canberra, to take on the Melbourne Demons at Manuka, the site of their first win (against the Gold Coast). In what will be a fascinating battle between the AFL’s oldest (Melbourne, Established May 14, 1859) and the youngest (Greater Western Sydney) clubs, the GIANTS will be striving to snatch victory out from under the Demons.
These two clubs last met in round 13, where the Demons ran away victors by 13 goals at the GIANTS first foray onto the MCG. On that occasion Taylor Adams (93), Dylan Shiel (89) and Adam Treloar (89) were standouts for the GIANTS, averaging twenty-four possessions between them. Should any or all of these young guns be selected to play this week, they are more than deserving of a spot on your Dream Team field, as is Smith (71).
It was Mitchell Clark who destroyed the GIANTS in the first half that day, before succumbing to a season ending injury; with Clark out of the team and the Demons coming off a painful defeat to the hands of Saint Kilda last week, this week’s match is sure to be full of fight and gusto from both teams.
An added bonus for the GIANTS is that if they can claim victory down in Manuka over the Demons, then they may just relegate the Gold Coast Suns to the bottom of the ladder, and match the Suns for wins from their inaugural season. There’s a lot on the line!
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The views in this article are that of the author and not necessarily the club.
GWS GIANTS v Melbourne
Manuka Oval
2.10pm Saturday August 18, 2012
Click here to find out everything you need to know about the game
