THE Giants are closing in on the AFL top eight after a stunning two-point win in the final minutes of their clash against Melbourne in Alice Springs. AN exciting two-point win over Melbourne, was enough for the GWS Giants to move into 10th spot on the ladder.
Josh Kelly kicked the monster winning goal to snatch the Giants the dramatic upset victory over a wasteful Melbourne and thrust GWS into the finals-chasing pack.
They appeared destined to fall short with about two minutes left in the final quarter in Alice Springs when Kelly marked, played on and launched from close to 60m out.
The Giants held on for a dramatic 7.5 (47) to 5.15 (45) victory that puts them four points outside the eight and leaves the Demons’ top-four spot vulnerable.
Unsurprisingly, the Giants’ Tom Green got to work in the wet and won plenty of contested ball (38 disposals, 16 contested possessions), and Kelly (26) and Stephen Coniglio (30) also had plenty of the footy for the Giants.
The Giants came out of the main break with great intensity and it soon paid off.
Xavier O’Halloran put them in front with a close-range free kick and Kelly snapped another shortly after.
Isaac Cumming nudged the Giants out to an 18-point lead midway through the third quarter.
Young Giants ruckman Kieran Briggs had a giant job in front of him but rather than shirking the job at hand, he stood up to the challenge and showed why he is a ruck on the rise. The 23-year-old finished with an equal game-high 19 hitouts, five clearances and six tackles.
The Giants next take on Hawthorn on Saturday from 4.35pm at Giants Stadium.
