THE GWS Giants have suffered a rude awakening at the hands of VFL powerhouse Northern Bullants, who cruised to an 89-point victory in their Foxtel Cup clash at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
The result was all but assured by a withering first quarter display from the Bullants, who piled on eight goals while holding Greater Western Sydney scoreless. The final score was 19.9 (123) to 5.4 (34), with the Bullants recording the highest score and the largest winning margin of the inaugural state-based competition.
Carlton utility Bret Thornton was best on ground with a game-high six goals and 10 marks, while forgotten midfielder Brock McLean also starred with 25 possessions for the Bullants, who finished as runners-up in the VFL last year.
Midfielder Anthony Miles performed strongly for GWS, the start-up franchise due to enter the AFL next season, while Dylan Shiel and Curtly Hampton also impressed. Kevin Sheedy’s young side played without a number of their key juniors, who are currently with the AIS-AFL Academy squad.
Boom recruit Israel Folau was largely unsighted in just his fourth game of AFL football, but defended admirably against the Bullants’ more experienced forwards.
The Bullants stormed out of the blocks as Ahmed Saad slotted the game’s first two goals, including a clever snap around four GWS defenders. Thornton also presented strongly, as he seeks to rejuvenate his career up forward.
While GWS attacked on a number of occasions, they could not hit the scoreboard, as the Bullants rebounded relentlessly from half back and exposed their younger opponents in transition.
The Giants finally managed to score early in the second term, with Miles notching a behind from his long range set shot. Folau began to get his hands on the ball, but sprayed a kick from defence straight to his new opponent in Thornton, who drilled his third goal.
By half time, the Bullants had pushed the margin above 12 goals, but the pressure and pace that defined an action-packed first quarter had largely been sapped from the match.
GWS lifted their intensity to start the second half, as they matched the Bullants in general play and moved the ball with more patience and precision. Their effort was rewarded by Ben Casley, who snapped his side’s first goal.
Thornton responded quickly with another two goals, taking his tally to six for the match. But GWS would not be disheartened, kicking three consecutive goals - including two to influential ruckman Jonathon Giles - to win the quarter.
However, the Bullants closed out a comfortable victory with five goals to one in the final term, and will face WAFL side Claremont in the second stage of the knock-out competition.
Northern Bullants 8.1 12.4 14.7 19.9 (123)
GWS Giants 0.0 0.3 4.4 5.4 (34)
GOALS
Northern Bullants: Thornton 6, Arrowsmith 4, Saad 3, Henderson 2, Kerr, Meese, O’Keeffe, Watson
GWS Giants: Giles 2, Tunbridge 2, Casley
BEST
Northern Bullants: Thornton, McLean, Cachia, Gianfagna, McCorkell, Watson
GWS Giants: Miles, Shiel, Giles, Hampton, Clifton
Article courtesy Tom Minear, afl.com.au
Last Modified on 30/04/2011 20:44