By James Dampney
HISTORY has been made at Manuka Oval, with the Greater Western Sydney GIANTS claiming its first AFL victory in a thrilling 27-point triumph over a stunned Gold Coast outfit.
The Suns were heavy favourites in the battle of the newcomers and led by four points at the final change, but the Giants stormed home with five goals to zero in the fourth quarter to snatch their first win, 13.16 (94) to 9.13 (67).
Tipped by many to remain winless throughout their debut season, the Giants had shown signs of competitiveness in recent weeks, but nobody expected the display they produced in Canberra on Saturday afternoon.
Jonathan Giles kicked three goals, including two in the final quarter, while Steve Coniglio had his best game as a Giant with 31 possessions and Chad Cornes was a rock in defence.
Gold Coast skipper Gary Ablett returned from a knee injury to gather 33 disposals, but he was held to just six in the final quarter as GWS roared to victory in a result that will cause waves throughout the League.
Josh Caddy, Sam Iles and Harley Bennell had their moments for the Suns, but they were left in shock at the manner of the Giants' finish to the game.
The Suns' banner at the start of the game read: 'The bigger they are, the harder they fall', but it was Gold Coast who was brought down to earth to remain without a win in its second season.
Just as they did two weeks ago against the Western Bulldogs at the same ground, the Giants made a flying start.
Goals to Devon Smith, Liam Sumner, Coniglio and Callan Ward inside the first 17 minutes, to just two Gold Coast behinds, gave GWS the start it was after.
The Suns only managed one goal for the quarter, although it was some goal, with Ablett and Bennell involved twice from deep in their own half before the latter kicked truly on the run from 35m.
But the Giants kept the ball pinned in Gold Coast's devensive half for most of the opening quarter en route to a 17-point lead at the first change.
GWS kept up the pressure to start the second quarter, but was unable to get reward for its effort, kicking a string of behinds to keep the Suns within reach.
And the visitors made the Giants pay, with the highly-rated Caddy helping them take control of the match.
Six unanswered goals, including four in a six-minute stretch after time-on, allowed Gold Coast to build a 13-point lead at the main break.
GWS then closed the gap to four points leading into the final term before stringing together a scintillating fourth quarter, claiming four AFL points for the first time in its history.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PHOTOS FROM THE MATCH
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 4.2 5.8 8.13 13.16 (94)
GOLD COAST 1.3 7.9 9.11 9.13 (67)
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Giles 3, Smith 2, Coniglio, Sumner, Ward, Tyson, Townsend, Shiel, Cameron, Treloar
Gold Coast: Caddy 2, Day 2, Bennell, Iles, Swallow, Rischitelli, Horsley
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Giles, Coniglio, Cornes, Ward, Scully, Power
Gold Coast: Iles, Ablett, Prestia, Caddy, Warnock, Bennell
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: TBC
Gold Coast: TBC
SUBSTITUTES
Gold Coast: Josh Toy replaced David Swallow in the third quarter.
Greater Western Sydney: Andrew Phillips replaced Liam Sumner at half-time
Reports: Tom Lynch (Gold Coast) reported for charging
Umpires: Schmitt, Hay, Foot
Official crowd: 8,603 at Manuka Oval
James Dampney covers Sydney AFL news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_JD
