It was a thrilling match from start to finish, but it was the Swifts who came good in the last period of play to deny a strong Giants outfit who looked on track to get revenge for their defeat to NSW in the first local derby of the year in Round 1.
THE Giants took well over half of the match to break a plucky Kangaroos outfit but booted seven majors on the trot from midway through the third term, to break clear and run out winner 14.7.91 to 10.8.68 at Blundstone Arena.
Strong games by Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly and three goals to Toby Greene on his return from injury, propelled Greater Western Sydney to a 23-point victory over North Melbourne in Hobart on Sunday afternoon.
The Kangaroos lacked their normal drive around the packs with Ben Cunnington kept unusually quiet in his 200th match by the close-checking Matt De Boer until a third-term shoulder injury curtailed his afternoon.
Quick goals to Coniglio, Taranto and the impressive Brett Deledio, saw the Giants finally break the game open midway through the third quarter and when Jeremy Cameron kicked his first for the afternoon, they had opened an 18-point lead three minutes before the final break.
It was the Giants’ ability to win the ball and then dominate possession for long periods which was too much for the Kangaroos and there was only ever going to be one outcome for most of the second half.
When Greene booted his third early in the final term, the game was as good as won, allowing the Giants to rise to second on the ladder and consigning Rhyce Shaw to his first loss as North’s interim coach.
Had it not been for the likes of Marley Williams (seven intercepts) and Robbie Tarrant standing tall in defence, the Giants may have made far more of their midfield superiority.
Swift move in comeback
THE Swifts have come from four goals down in the final quarter to stun a Giants team that led for much of the contest, and retain the Carole Sykes Memorial Trophy.
