The Greater Western Sydney GIANTS have again showed they can mix it with the AFL's elite with a typically gutsy performance against Geelong at Simonds Stadium.
The young GIANTS took it right up to the reigning premiers, levelling scores at half time much to the horror of the parochial home side crowd.
As expected Geelong pulled away in the second half to run out 65-point winners but coach Kevin Sheedy was full of praise for his young side.
"I think this was the best first half we have played this year. We probably had the whole of Geelong shut down at half time," Sheedy said of the uncharasteristically quiet Cats supporters at half time. "I didn't hear a word. I thought we were in a morgue.
"The most important thing is our players put their hand up. I think this was a great learning experience for this whole group and it's going to hold them in good stead."
When the Giants skipped out of the blocks to kick the first three goals of the game everyone imagined the Greater Western Sydney was like a Melbourne Cup longshot leading at the winning post the first time around.
But the Giants kept going and, to the surprise of everyone, scores were level at both quarter- and half-time. Jeremy Cameron was brilliant in the first quarter kicking a goal and contributing to all four of the Giants' first quarter goals. The visitors spread well and were matching the Cats in the contested ball count.
Callan Ward and Tom Scully had great support from future stars Stephen Coniglio, Callan Ward and Dylan Shiel. When they linked up on occasions everyone had a glimpse of the future.
Coniglio said Sheedy had warned his young side to expect the Cats to come out hard after half time. "We were very disappointed with that third quarter. Every game is a learning curve and we will be better for it," he said.
The GIANTS now have a week's rest before taking on Richmond at Skoda Stadium. Number one draft pick Jon Patton is expected to make his debut against the Tigers.
GEELONG 4.2 7.3 13.8 19.12 (126)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 4.2 7.3 8.5 9.7 (61)
GOALS
Geelong: Taylor 6, Johnson 5, Podsiadly 3, Chapman 2, Guthrie, Stephenson, Stringer
Greater Western Sydney: Cameron 2, Shiel 2, Treloar 2, Greene, Ward, Tyson
BEST
Geelong: Johnson, Bartel, Scarlett, Kelly, Chapman, Mackie, Taylor, Selwood
Greater Western Sydney: Ward, Scully, Shiel, Coniglio, Greene, Cameron, Giles, Adams
INJURIES
Geelong: Selwood (corked thigh); Enright (foot), Corey (shoulder) and Motlop (shoulder) replaced in the selected side by Stringer, Gillies and Smedts.
Greater Western Sydney: Townsend (jaw)
SUBSTITUTES
Geelong: Lincoln McCarthy replaced Orren Stephenson at three quarter-time.
Greater Western Sydney: Dom Tyson replaced Jacob Townsend (jaw) at half-time.
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Fleer, Leppard, McInerney
Official crowd: 17,243 at Simonds Stadium
CLICK HERE to hear what #9 Tom Scully had to say post match
