GWS vs SUNS R5, 2013
GWS vs SUNS R5, 2013
GWS GIANTS versus GOLD COAST SUNS
1.40pm, Saturday April 27
Manuka (Startrack) Oval, Canberra.
By PAMELA SHERPA
Another glorious autumn day. Perfect for football.
When I arrive at the ground Jeremy Cameron and Lachie Whitfield are practising shots at goal. A couple of young Giants’ supporters cajole them into letting them onto the field for a quick shot.
As I get to my seat the elderly gentlemen sitting behind me in the same seats as last year launch straight into footy talk. A lady three rows in front of us stands up, puts her hands on her hips and says “I agree with you entirely !” then sits down again. We nod our heads and continue our discussion. How marvellous it is being able to turn up to a footy ground and instantly become friends with complete strangers.
The Anzac ceremony is observed.
The Suns’ Charlie Dixon scores the first goal of the match with a long kick. Rhys Palmer snaps one back for the Giants. It’s goal for goal til quarter time with the scores level at 3.3 21
In the second quarter the Suns get the first three goals. Zac Smith dominates in the ruck for them and allows their midfielders to get their hands on the ball. The Giants don’t have the height, strength or experience to match Charlie Dixon up forward who scores four goals in the first half. Ironically the Giants score three of their goals with long bombs – just like kids. If there’s no-one to kick to, just aim for the goals anyway. The Suns are 25pts up at half time.
Despite being a Giants fan I feel privileged to be watching a Gary Ablett clinic. He thinks and moves a time frame ahead of everyone else. When he moves to the forward line the Giants fans become anxious. Resting and working mean the same thing to Gary Ablett.
After half time, Smith gets the first goal for the Giants. The Suns reply before the Giants score three in a row. The Suns get two more then Cameron goals for the Giants. A good quarter for the Giants but they are still 18pts behind.
In the last quarter the Gary Ablett show continues. A simple side step brings a goal. The Giants get two back before the Suns power away with the next five majors. The Giants get another then the Suns two more. The Giants score the last of the game but the Suns have dominated and run out easy winners by 44 points.
I’m pleased for the Suns. They have progressed and been competitive this year.
The Giants will improve when they blend youth with experience in the team. The defeats they are copping now are all part of their football education. Meanwhile it’s full steam ahead to next week. I’m sure Sheeds will have them fired up to take on the challenge of tackling the Bombers.
GWS: 3.3 7.4 12.6 16.8 (104)
Gold Coast Suns: 3.3 10.11 13.18 21 22 (148)
GOALS
GWS :Cameron 3, O’hAilpin 3,Smith 3, Palmer 2 Coniglio , Shiel, Scully, Tomlinson, Bugg
Gold Coast Suns: Dixon 6, Smith 3, O’Meara 3, Ablett 3, Lynch2, Prestia, May, Stanley, Brennan
BEST
GWS: Ward , Smith, Palmer, Cameron O’hAilpin,
Suns: Dixon, O’Meara, Ablett, Shaw, Lynch, Harbrow
Umpires: Schmitt, Armstrong, Mitchell
Crowd 6,832