ROUND 23
Western Bulldogs 15.19 (109) def. by GWS GIANTS 18.7 (115)
With five wins for 2014, the GIANTS faced the Western Bulldogs in the final match of the season at another venue the club was yet to taste success, Etihad Stadium.
After leading for most of the day, it looked like the GIANTS were going to be overrun by the more experienced Bulldogs in the last term.
But the young GIANTS stood tall when it mattered, with Devon Smith kicking the winning goal from outside 50 with only 16 seconds left on the clock.
It was a famous victory for the GIANTS, securing their sixth win for the season and winning at Etihad Stadium for the firs time.
Will Hoskin-Elliott's five goals led the way while Toby Greene and Dylan Shiel were prolific in the midfield gathering over 30 possessions each and vice-captain Heath Shaw directed traffic from the half back line.
The match featured a three-goal cameo performance from youngster James Stewart, including his first goal in the AFL.
Debutant Cam “Sunshine” McCarthy also had a match he’ll never forget, kicking a magnificent 50-metre goal from the boundary line in the fourth quarter with his first kick in the AFL.
After the siren, Head Coach Leon Cameron called the support staff into the circle to sing the team song for the sixth and final time for 2014.
