STRONG winds have failed to derail the GIANTS in Canberra, with the home side running out 31-point AFL
The football was scrappy during Saturday afternoon's clash at UNSW Canberra Oval and goals never came easy, but the GIANTS power and class stood out in the 11.16 (82) to 7.9 (51) win.
Fremantle made the early running to go into the first break with a surprise eight-point lead, but the GIANTS powered to a 3-1 record on the back of seven goals to two during the second and third terms.
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The Dockers hit back early in the final quarter through Brandon Matera's second goal and Bailey Banfield's first major of his young AFL career, but a brilliant snap from Toby Greene midway through the final term steadied the GIANTS back out to a 19-point lead as rain helped thwart a Fremantle comeback.
Greene finished with two goals and played a key role in three others, while GIANTS co-captain Callan Ward (34 disposals) ran riot with a dominant midfield performance.
Brett Deledio enjoyed his best game in GIANTS
Former Western Bulldogs captain Ryan Griffen made an inspirational return after more than a year out of the GIANTS team due to persistent ankle injuries.
The 31-year-old made an immediate impact by kicking the first goal of the game and was swamped by his GIANTS teammates.
Griffen didn't have a lot of the ball but added another major at the start of the second quarter.
Jeremy Cameron sent a scare through the GIANTS camp when he hobbled to the bench in the second quarter but played out the game with a jarred knee to finish with two goals.
GIANTS coach Leon Cameron said his star forward would be looked after to ensure he played against St Kilda next Saturday.
He said his players were battered and bruised following the
"I think both sides played better going into the wind," Cameron said.
"It was a tough day and our boys are pretty sore from the game. I thought we tackled pretty well when we needed to."
Lachie Neale, Stephen Hill
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon believed the game was lost in the Dockers' forward half as Fremantle couldn't
"Haynes and (Heath) Shaw were really good on our young forwards who got lost in tough conditions and that allowed (the GIANTS) to shift the ball out quite well," Lyon said.
"We fought on and gave ourselves an opportunity (in the last quarter) so
MEDICAL ROOM
GIANTS: Jeremy Cameron looked sore and had an issue with his left leg but played out the match, so he'll need to be monitored this week.
Fremantle: Young midfielder Ed Langdon (illness) was a late withdrawal but should be right to play next week.
NEXT UP
The GIANTS are back in Melbourne next Saturday afternoon to take on St Kilda at Etihad Stadium, while the Dockers return to Optus Stadium to welcome the Western Bulldogs to Perth later that night.
GIANTS 1.5 5.9 8.14 11.16 (82)
FREMANTLE 3.1 5.2 5.6 7.9 (51)
GOALS
GIANTS: Cameron 2, Griffen 2, Greene 2, Hopper, Coniglio, Taranto, de Boer, Lloyd
Fremantle: Matera 2, Sandilands, S. Hill, Fyfe, Banfield, Mundy
BEST
GIANTS: Ward, Haynes, Coniglio, Hopper, Greene, Taranto, Deledio
Fremantle: S. Hill, Neale, Mundy, Sandilands, Banfield
INJURIES
GIANTS: Davis (cut chin)
Fremantle: Ed Langdon (illness) replaced in the selected side by Darcy Tucker
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Fisher, Hosking, Rosebury
Official crowd: 11,356 at UNSW Canberra Oval
