Rowell shines as Suns snap streak, deal giant blow
Roger Vaughan |
Matt Rowell’s freakish game and an even freakier goal have helped Gold Coast snap their 10-game AFL losing streak and most likely denied GWS a wildcard berth.
Jubilant Suns coach Damien Hardwick said Rowell had produced “video-game numbers” in dismal Canberra conditions on Sunday as the Suns beat the Giants by two points.
Barring a miracle over the last two rounds, the 11.13 (79) to 11.11 (77) upset loss means GWS will miss the finals for the first time in Adam Kingsley’s four seasons as coach.
While Kingsley joined Hardwick in lavishing praise on Rowell, the Giants coach held his tongue over the last-quarter goal that was as crucial as it was weird.
Eight minutes into the final term, youngster Bailey Humphrey was running into goal when Giants backman Lachie Ash brought him down with a tackle.
With the ball knocked loose, as Humphrey slid across the goal-line, the back of his heel clipped the ball and the goal umpire paid a major. The crucial score stood on video review.
“I really don’t know,” Kingsley said of the goal.
“You guys (media) will need to make that assessment, on whether you thought it was a goal and whether all those non-decisions that weren’t paid were there or not.”
Hardwick acknowledged it was a close-run thing that the goal was allowed on video review.
“There was a clear view we saw – it came off his foot, he dragged it across the line,” Hardwick said.
“We thought it was always difficult for the umpire to overturn. But trust me, as someone who’s been on the end of those ones for a number of years and a number of times, sometimes it’s swings and roundabouts.
“You just wear those ones.”
There was no argument from the coaches about Rowell’s game – a career-best 40 disposals, with 17 clearances and 16 tackles.
After winning the Brownlow last year, Rowell has battled injuries this season and been well off his best form. But he revelled in the wet and cold conditions at Manuka Oval.
“It’s just one of those games where you go ‘wow’. They’re video-game numbers,” Hardwick said.
Kingsley felt Toby Greene was able to quell Rowell to some extent in the final term. But he lamented the loss of Toby Bedford early in the game with a back injury, given he regularly plays as an effective tagger.
“He had a big game, didn’t he?” Kingsley said. “He was enormous. We went through three different plans for him.”
The Giants were dealt a double blow early in the second term when Jayden Laverde (ribs) and Bedford (back) were forced out of the game.
Hardwick hailed his players for keeping their focus during their losing streak, saying the lessons learned would pay off for the Suns.
“Their spirit has been unbelievable,” he said. “To finally salute is a pleasing result.
“When you lose for a long time, sometimes you can’t see where the next win comes from.
“What we do know is we have a great list that is capable of doing some special things. This year is a going to be a strong part of that journey in the next two to three years.”
GWS are at least a game outside 10th spot, with only two rounds left.
“I don’t know if it’s impossible, but it’s difficult now. That’s the reality of it,” Kingsley said of their top-10 hopes.
Defender Mac Andrew (eight marks) and Touk Miller (three goals) also starred for Gold Coast.
Giants youngster Josaia Delana snapped a goal with seconds left to cap his breakout game, which featured 20 possessions and two goal assists.
AAP