Date Added: Sun, 13 May 2012
Round 7 GWS Giants versus GC Suns
Manuka Oval, Saturday, May 12.
What better place for the two newest teams in the national competition to play each other than in Canberra, the nation’s capital.
Neither team has won a game this season so today’s game will be keenly contested. The season may be just cranking into gear, but no-one wants to sit near the bottom of the ladder for too long. The Suns almost upset Freo last week and the Giants managed to annoy the Blues. Today both teams will be measuring how far they’ve come.
In a fortnight the weather has turned. It’ s a cool 13 degrees today. Perfect weather for wearing my new Giants scarf and beanie. My scarf is a nice tartan one, quite fashionable. The range of gear they have at the merchandise van is amazing. And they’re selling loads of it.
The Giants burst out of the blocks in the first quarter and score four goals before the Suns answer with only one goal for the quarter. Being ahead at the first change is a promising start.
In the second quarter the Giants score first again but it’s their only goal for the quarter. The Suns snap into gear and reply with the next six goals to lead by 13 points at half time.
In the third quarter the Giants manage to tighten up on their defence. Chad Cornes is like a troop commander on the backline. He keeps everyone sorted and in place. The Suns are restricted to two goals for the quarter whilst the Giants add three. Ablett looks to be playing hurt but is dangerous every time he gets near the ball. It’s marvellous to watch him at work.
The Suns lead by four points at the last break but the Giants have weathered the storm, recovered and held steady. The crowd get set for last quarter.
The Giants chant starts up in the crowd. We are in with a chance now.
Jonathan Giles imposes himself in the ruck contests and boots two goals in the quarter to finish with three for the day.
Every Giants effort is applauded. When Dylan Shiel snaps a goal to put the Giants in front the players get a real sniff of victory and then there is no stopping. Like horses heading for home they charge down the straight and pile on four more goals for the quarter whilst the Suns cannot kick a goal.
When the siren sounds, the players are overjoyed and the crowd clap and chant. The newest song in the league is sung with gusto. It hasn’t taken supporters long to learn the words.
GWS GIANTS- 4.2 5.8 8.13 13.16(94)
GC SUNS 1.3 7.9 9.11 9.13 (67)
Goals: GWS – Giles 3, Smith 2, Treloar, Ward, Shiel, Tyson, Cameron, Townsend
SUNS- Caddy 2, Day 2, Swallow, Bennell, Horsley, Rischitelli, Iles
Best: GIANTS-Giles, Coniglio, Cornes, Shiel, Ward
SUNS – Iles, Ablett, Bennell, Hunt, Warnock
CROWD- 8,603
Pamela Sherpa