GWS Giants find form after concerning smashing
Oliver Caffrey |
GWS have maintained their position in the top-eight after taking care of struggling North Melbourne by 54 points in Canberra.
Having had 10 days to process the startling 88-point thumping by the Western Bulldogs, the Giants pulled away from the Kangaroos early on Sunday at Manuka Oval.
Leading by 58 points midway through the third quarter, GWS took the foot off the pedal in the 20.13 (133) to 12.7 (79) win.
Callum Brown led the Giants’ goal-kicking with an equal career-high five, while former Essendon and Western Bulldogs star Jake Stringer was lively with three before he was tactically subbed out in the third term.
Young forward Aaron Cadman kicked four goals, moving to 42 for the season.
Cadman should have finished with at least five, but missed one chance when he inexplicably played on in the goal square and was caught holding the ball.
Midfielders Tom Green (25 disposals) and Finn Callaghan (31) were exceptional, making sure North’s talented on-ball brigade didn’t get the Kangaroos into the contest.
GWS moved to 14-7, ahead of games against Gold Coast and St Kilda to complete their home-and-away campaign.
Due to their percentage, the Giants may need to win both their remaining matches to be guaranteed of playing finals.
Set to finish in the bottom three, North were delighted with the debuts of Cooper Trembath and Geordie Payne.
Trembath made the most of his opportunities up forward, kicking an equal team-high three goals.
Trembath’s family became emotional in the stands after the 19-year-old – a mid-season rookie draft selection this year – booted his first goal.
Former Sydney star Luke Parker continued his impressive first season with the Kangaroos, gathering 28 possessions and a team-high nine clearances.
North will have a chance to leapfrog Richmond into 16th on the ladder when they face the Tigers in Hobart next Sunday.
AAP
