Greater Western Sydney marked Heath Shaw's 300th game with a win to remember, holding off Port Adelaide in a thrilling finish to remain in touch with the AFL's top four.
The Giants led from the opening minutes of the game, getting as far as 17 points in front in the third quarter but the finishing post seemed an eternity away as the Power threw everything at their rivals in the home straight.
The Giants held on for a crucial victory in Adelaide.Credit:AAP
Despite the game being played almost entirely in their defensive half in the last term, the tiring Giants mustered one last effort to fall over the line and prevail by one point – 8.8 (56) to 7.13 (55).
Even the Giants' most vocal critics will be full of respect after a win bursting with courage and merit.
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Down a man after Sam Taylor was injured in the second half, the Giants hung on for dear life in the last quarter.
Nick Haynes and Phil Davis proved impenetrable, fending off wave after wave of attack from a Power side which could not convert its statistical dominance into scores.
Port dominated the contested ball in the second half, winning that count by seven after half-time and the inside 50 tally by 10.
The Giants were rewarded for efficiency in attack with the pairing of Jeremy Cameron and Jeremy Finlayson combining for six of their eight goals. They were priceless in such a low scoring game.
Early on, getting through the Power's defensive grid was not the the difficult part, converting on the scoreboard was with Jeremy Finlayson burning two chances on the run.
At a time when goals were hard to come by, Cameron made the most of half chances. Scott Lycett will not be fond of the second, going to ground chasing a loose ball to allow Cameron to snap from the pocket.
Not much was going right for Port, who endured their fourth goalless first quarter of the year. They were not working hard enough to deserve any good fortune, sticking just three tackles for the term.
Heath Shaw walked away with the points in his 300th game.Credit:AAP
A quirk of the goal review system went against them as well. Tom Clurey had won possession on the goal line but as the Power were moving the ball out of danger a score review was called.
It ruled a no score but instead of Port regaining possession a ball up ensued, from which Cameron kicked a goal on the run after the hosts failed to clear the ball out of defence.
The move of Justin Westhoff to full back was working for Port. The Port veteran has seldom played in this position in his 264-gameRead More – Source
Greater Western Sydney marked Heath Shaw's 300th game with a win to remember, holding off Port Adelaide in a thrilling finish to remain in touch with the AFL's top four.
The Giants led from the opening minutes of the game, getting as far as 17 points in front in the third quarter but the finishing post seemed an eternity away as the Power threw everything at their rivals in the home straight.
The Giants held on for a crucial victory in Adelaide.Credit:AAP
Despite the game being played almost entirely in their defensive half in the last term, the tiring Giants mustered one last effort to fall over the line and prevail by one point – 8.8 (56) to 7.13 (55).
Even the Giants' most vocal critics will be full of respect after a win bursting with courage and merit.
Advertisement
Down a man after Sam Taylor was injured in the second half, the Giants hung on for dear life in the last quarter.
Nick Haynes and Phil Davis proved impenetrable, fending off wave after wave of attack from a Power side which could not convert its statistical dominance into scores.
Port dominated the contested ball in the second half, winning that count by seven after half-time and the inside 50 tally by 10.
The Giants were rewarded for efficiency in attack with the pairing of Jeremy Cameron and Jeremy Finlayson combining for six of their eight goals. They were priceless in such a low scoring game.
Early on, getting through the Power's defensive grid was not the the difficult part, converting on the scoreboard was with Jeremy Finlayson burning two chances on the run.
At a time when goals were hard to come by, Cameron made the most of half chances. Scott Lycett will not be fond of the second, going to ground chasing a loose ball to allow Cameron to snap from the pocket.
Not much was going right for Port, who endured their fourth goalless first quarter of the year. They were not working hard enough to deserve any good fortune, sticking just three tackles for the term.
Heath Shaw walked away with the points in his 300th game.Credit:AAP
A quirk of the goal review system went against them as well. Tom Clurey had won possession on the goal line but as the Power were moving the ball out of danger a score review was called.
It ruled a no score but instead of Port regaining possession a ball up ensued, from which Cameron kicked a goal on the run after the hosts failed to clear the ball out of defence.
The move of Justin Westhoff to full back was working for Port. The Port veteran has seldom played in this position in his 264-gameRead More – Source
