A slow start, again

Things did not start as they ended against Essendon last week. Instead, the GIANTS were back to where they were in the first quarter of the game against the Bombers: on the back foot. The Swans cracked in harder around the ball, dominating the clearances and getting the ball moving quickly and to much more dangerous spots. And unlike Essendon last week, Sydney was able to put some immediate scoreboard pressure on the GIANTS. They’d lost six of their last seven games coming in, but scored three goals to none in the first term to set them on the way to their 41-point win. The GIANTS’ first half score of 1.3 – nine points – was the club's lowest since season 2012. While the effort lifted in the third quarter, there was no way back for the GIANTS this time and a horrible night ended with the GIANTS recording the club’s equal lowest score.

The midfield battle

This one started in Sydney’s favour, and stayed there for much of the night. The Swans played with more intensity and urgency around the ball, with players like Luke Parker and James Rowbottom playing huge parts in getting them going, and Nick Blakey busy too. At quarter-time they led clearances by 10 and had almost doubled the GIANTS' possession count. Missed tackles mattered too, especially early in the game. With the exception of Josh Kelly, the GIANTS midfielders lacked oomph and simply struggled to get their hands on the ball. After grinding wins over Essendon and Gold Coast, there was very little energy left.

Josh & Zac

There wasn’t too much to be happy about after this game and not many GIANTS were able to play near their best, but Josh Kelly was one who fought it out. With the Swans well on top in the midfield early Kelly did his best to win the ball and get it moving the GIANTS’ way. His effort remained through the second half and with 31 possessions he was clearly the team’s biggest ball winner for the night. Williams was another who tried to spark the team from half-back with some defensive efforts and drive. He racked up 15 kicks for the night.

Scoring woes

The GIANTS have been efficient inside 50 for most of this year, kicking some winning scores despite struggling at times to get the ball forward with some ease and precision. The inside-50 count wasn’t a problem for most of the night against Sydney - the GIANTS had 52 to the Swans' 32 -  but the team didn't function well heading towards goal and was often forced into driving the ball long, where the Swans were consistently able to win the ball back through outnumbering the GIANTS in the air, competing well one-on-one and clearing it back out of trouble with ease at times. There were plenty of missed opportunities too, particularly in the second and third quarters, with missed set shots and snaps making it even harder for the GIANTS to hang in there. Together, Jeremy Cameron, Jeremy Finlayson and Harry Himmelberg struggled to have an impact and in the end all three of the GIANTS’ goals arrived courtesy of free kicks.

Hutchy

This was a tough game to debut in, but in the second half the GIANTS’ latest debutant showed some glimpses of his attack on the ball, clean hands and agility. Hutchesson – the third member of the 2019 draft class to debut after Tom Green and Lachie Ash – had seven possessions in his first AFL game but unfortunately finished the match on the bench with a hamstring iced up.

Up next

The fixture beyond round 13 is yet to be revealed, but the GIANTS have a nine-day break to get to work before playing West Coast in round 13. The season is alive and there's a spot in the top eight to fight for, so it will be a big one. From there the team is due to take on the Dockers before heading back to Queensland for the final handful of home and away games.