Kingsley laments straight-sets exit after Lions loss
Joanna Guelas |
GWS coach Adam Kingsley has lamented a repeat of recent history after Brisbane handed them an AFL semi-final loss.
In a near replica of their six-point qualifying final loss to Sydney, the Giants coughed up a 44-point lead to lose by five points on Saturday at Engie Stadium.
Brisbane slammed through four unanswered goals in the third term before Joe Daniher kicked the final two goals to seal the 15.15 (105) to 15.10 (100) victory.
Against the Swans, their 28-point lead was whittled away when Isaac Heeney launched from the centre box to make the scores level before Joel Amartey kicked the match-winner.
Kingsley admits their straight-sets final exits burns even more given his side had rehearsed a comeback scenario in preparation for Brisbane.
“The final quarter was the same as the Swans game, to be fair,” Kingsley said.
“You put yourself in a position to win the game, you should win the game.
“We addressed it during the week. The players knew what I was going to tell them at three-quarter time because we rehearsed it yesterday.
“Unfortunately, with our actions, we weren’t able to back it up.
“We’ve had those moments across the year, it’s really no surprise.
“We’ve had too many moments where the opposition have capitalised and won games in short periods of time against us.
“It would appear we haven’t yet learnt that lesson.”
GWS spearhead Jesse Hogan had momentarily staved off the Lions challenge in the third quarter, setting up substitute Xavier O’Halloran’s goal before slotting his fifth of the evening.
But Brisbane were incessant and the Giants’ engine room, without midfielder Stephen Coniglio, were overrun.
Coniglio was subbed out of the game with a cheekbone injury after a collision with Brisbane defender Harris Andrews, with GWS yet to discover the extent of his injury.
“We need to support (Hogan) a little bit and we’ve known that,” Kingsley said.
“To still be proactive, to execute the system as best as we can, to remain aggressive, to be aware of the opposition when they do roll the dice a little bit and roll forward, to be safe and strong in contest and win the ball… We’re just not the finished product yet.
“We’re not yet a premiership brand, and we’ve got to continue to work towards that.
“It’s obviously tough in the moment right now. It was tough last week, but that’s the reality.
“We’ve got to build our game into being a premiership standard game and it’s not quite there yet.”
AAP