Callan Ward grabbed another slice of GIANTS history with a rare ‘triple double’ in Sunday’s 30-point win over the Brisbane Lions at Spotless Stadium – double figure statistics in contested possessions, tackles and clearances.
It was only the third time in club history this feat has been achieved as Ward, with 32 possessions overall, collected 17 contested possessions, 10 clearances and 12 tackles as the GIANTS continued to re-write the club record books.
It was the second time Ward had reached this lofty midfield benchmark for the club, following his 29 possessions (22 contested), 13 tackles and 13 clearances against Hawthorn in round 11 last year.
The first player to post this standout mark in GIANTS history was Adam Treloar, who had 33 possessions (21 contested), 14 tackles and 11 clearances against Melbourne in round 3 last year.
Ward’s phenomenal performance came as Jeremy Cameron kicked three goals to become the first player to kick 50 goals at Spotless and 150 goals in his career.
Now with 52 goals at the GIANTS' home ground, Cameron leads the all-time list at the venue from teammates Rhys Palmer (19), Devon Smith (19) and Ward (16).
The Cameron milestone came as the GIANTS posted a record seventh win this year, surpassing their 2014 win total with still 12 games to play in the 2015 home-and-away season.
Also, it was the first time the GIANTS have won three games in a row at home, leaving them unbeaten at Spotless this year as they work to make the boutique stadium a real home fortress.
The 14.13 (97) to 10.7 (67) win was the GIANTS' second in a row against Brisbane, and gives them a 2-2 head-to-head record against the Lions.
Brisbane are the fourth club the GIANTS have beaten more than once. They are 4-3 against Melbourne, 2-2 against Carlton, and 2-4 against Gold Coast.
In other standout statistical efforts on Sunday:
- Ward’s 12 tackles ranked equal third in GIANTS history. It has been bettered only by Treloar (14) and Ward himself (13) in the aforementioned games.
- Josh Kelly had three goal assists to equal the club record he shares with Ward, Cameron, Tom Scully, Stephen Coniglio and Toby Greene. It was the third time Kelly had posted this mark in his 26 AFL games. Each of the others have achieved this number just once.
- Cameron’s five marks inside 50 against Brisbane was one off his own club record, set against Brisbane last year.
- Phil Davis had 10 one per centers against Brisbane – two less than the club record he shares with Tim Mohr and Heath Shaw.
- Dylan Shiel’s 12 contested possessions against Brisbane took his career total to 510. He is the fourth GIANTS player to top 500 behind Ward (815), Treloar (660) and Greene (601).
- The Brisbane score was the equal sixth lowest all-time against the GIANTS. Four of the GIANTS’ best defensive efforts have now come this year against Melbourne (round 2), Gold Coast (round 4), Carlton (round 7) and Brisbane (round 10). The games last year against Melbourne, when they held the Demons to 34 points at the MCG and 47 points at Spotless, head the list overall.
