From the three-minute mark of the second term to the 14th, the Giants turned a three-point deficit into a 28-point lead in a fearsome running style that has turned them from a finals wildcard to a legitimate contender.
Young bull Tom Green was a star on the inside, Josh Kelly was damaging in the front half, and tough veteran Callan Ward was playing like a younger version of himself. But it was the returning Stephen Coniglio, who had 22 disposals by half-time, who was the architect.
Collectively, they won the clearances 29-12 to the main break and the contested ball 81-63, with the Giants racking up 78 more disposals to half-time.
The disposal and clearance differentials represented the Power’s worst results in a half this season, and it came with their year disappointingly on the line.
Giants coach Adam Kingsley said: “It’s nice timing coming into finals, that we’re not solely relying on our turnover game to score. We’re adding the stoppage game, which makes us even more of a threat.”
In a rematch of the 2019 preliminary final that they won by four points to progress to their first and only Grand Final, the Giants now enter the Friday night preliminary final against Collingwood at the MCG from 7.50pm.
Another Giant step for GWS fans
THE GWS Giants have sunk Port Adelaide’s season with a 93 (13.15) to 70 (9.16) victory which paves the way for the club’s fourth appearance in a preliminary final.
