Giants v Bulldogs
Rd 5, 2012 Giants v Bulldogs at Manuka
Everything the Giants do this year will be history making. It is a year of firsts for the newest team in the AFL competition. Today the GWS Giants are playing their first official game at Manuka Oval. The Giants are playing the Western Bulldogs for the Prime Minister’s cup.
The autumn weather is glorious. A perfect day for meeting friends at the footy.
The Giants are without experienced campaigners Dean Brogan and Chad Cornes but it doesn’t take long for the next generation to make the most of their opportunities. Canberra boy Josh Bruce who was called into the side late, scores his first, the Giants first and the first goal of the game.. The Giants lead for the first time this season. Yay! Then they follow it up with a second and keep the Dogs from scoring a goal in the first quarter. Is an upset on the cards? Sadly for Giants fans, no. The Bulldogs get themselves organised in the second quarter and score eight goals while the Giants only add three. The positive for the Giants is that they did score goals including a great snap from Jeremy Cameron. The Dogs lead 8.5-57 to Giants 5.5-35 at half time.
In the third quarter the Giants manage to stay in touch adding three majors to their score while the Dogs add four. However it means the Dogs are a clear five goals ahead. When they score the first goal of the final quarter, Giants’ fans hopes are dashed, however the players don’t give up. They only manage one goal in the last quarter while the Digs add three
The highlight of the day for the Giants was the five goal performance by Jeremy Cameron. Sheedy switched players around to broaden their football experience. Israel Folau was given time in the ruck and managed to get his hands on the ball a few times. Giant baby steps you might say.
Luke Power used his experience and was solid in defence.
Julia Gillard presented the inaugural Prime Minster’s cup to her own team the Doggies. No doubt a pleasant way to finish off the week for her.
Final scores:
Bulldogs 0.5-5 8.9-57 12.12-84 15.14-104
Giants 2.4-16 5.5.35 8.6-54 9.8-62
Best players:
Bulldogs- Griffen, Boyd, Higgins
Giants – Cameron Power, Davis
Goalkickers
BULLDOGS- Cooney 2, Dahlhouse 2, Higgins 2, Cordy, Grant, Sherman, Jones, Picken, Boyd, Wallis, Djerrkura, Griffen
GIANTS – Cameron 5, Hampton2, Bruce , Adams
Crowd – 9,128