Don’t let the scoreboard fool you, this was a competitive clash until the last quarter. Both sides looked to have close to the best version of their lists out there and this game promised to be a youthful, energetic, and fierce contest. Unfortunately for the sake of the contest, GWS ran away with it comfortably in the end, but this was an enjoyable contest nonetheless.
There were great match ups all over the ground today, and in hindsight on paper this game was always destined to be a good match up because of that. Toby Greene returned to form, Jesse Hogan continued his great season, and Mac Andrew and Sam Clohesy gave a lot of excitement to the Gold Coast supporters.
GWS were far from their best for large parts of the game, however it should be taken in the context that Gold Coast put up great fight, won a lot of hard ball, and refused to succumb to the orange tsunami. If this game were played next year, you’d assume the Suns run out the game a bit better, and it goes down to the wire. It also should be noted that below their best, GWS still scored 117 points, which a lot of teams would love to do consistently.
Here’s all that mattered from the clash.
Green v Rowell
The hype for this match up in the lead up to the game was entirely justified. Both young bulls have started the season strongly, and today looked to give us a great opportunity to see them head to head. Unfortunately, in my opinion, it didn’t quite live up to the hype.
The two guns matched up on each other at times, but it certainly wasn’t an all day battle, which is to be expected in modern footy. The reason I say it didn’t live up to the hype is that Tom Green was well below his best. His 23 disposals weren’t especially damaging at any point, and to my eyes I didn’t see the same ferociousness at the footy that we’ve become accustomed to. I never saw a moment from him when he walked through a contest and owned the football. He seemed content to sit on the fringes and take the easy ball when it came.
Rowell did his usual thing. He showed strength in tight and was able to extract the footy in situations that other players are content to take the tackle and force a ball up. 26 disposals, 19 contested is his typical workman like performance, throw in eight clearances and it’s a strong game. While he’s not a flashy player by any means, he’s so important in getting the ball moving for Gold Coast. It wasn’t his best game, but he did his job today.
That GWS Forward Line
The stats today are a little inflated as they all cashed in late in the last quarter, but the GWS forward line is working to such a high level at the moment. Hogan had five, Greene had four, Brown had three, Riccardi had two and Brent Daniels was seriously effective when he had the ball.
This forward line is the stuff of dreams at the best of times, but the most impressive aspect is how well the GWS midfielders and forwards interact with each other. It’s no wonder Jesse Hogan has had the career resurgence that we’re witnessing, the way the ball is kicked into him is perfect for the lead up style of game he likes to play. Toby has been out of form but bounced back in a big way today.
In a game where GWS weren’t at their best, the forwards really held up their end of the bargain. 18 goals nine is an imposing score line. Any time the ball went forward you felt like they were getting the ball in a position to score. The Gold Coast defence were actually pretty good today, however if I’m being critical, I’d like to see them force their opponents to take shots from tougher positions. To do this, you need pressure upfield, so it isn’t all on the backs, and they shouldn’t be too disheartened with their performance today.
Insert Big Mac Pun Here
The enigma that is Mac Andrew was on show for all to see today. 24 must-watch disposals. Some good, some bad, but all worth watching.
Mac Andrew can be maligned for his at times questionable decision-making, and he’s been soundly beaten in the past, which is expected of a young player. His game today wasn’t perfect, but it showed he is more than worth persisting with. His attack on the footy was so purposeful today. He looked incredibly engaged and was able to create turnovers, which was instrumental in the first three quarters where the game was alive.
The downside was the free kick he gave away, retaliating to a Toby Greene tackle (which will be looked at by the MRO) and the multiple turnovers he had. He’ll learn with time what kicks to take on and when to go the safe option, but you know Hardwick is going to coach him to continue to take the game and his opponent on at any opportunity, and that suits Mac to a tee. We can’t forget he is still young and hasn’t played 30 games, the upside is huge.
How To Beat the Giants
After today’s game I think we saw the makings of the blueprint to beating GWS. We know fast footy is king these days, and the orange tsunami could be particularly vulnerable, more so than other teams simply because of how good they are. Let me explain…
The Giants have the best back six in the competition. Their keys in Taylor and Buckley are very rarely beaten, they have a number of runners that dispose of the football beautifully, and Connor Idun may be the most underrated player in the game right now. If you allow these guys to set up, find their match ups and position themselves to their liking, they become incredibly hard to score against.
If I’m coaching against GWS, I’m imploring my players to be ballistic on turnover. Getting their defenders out of position is so important in ensuring they can’t get across and help each other in a one on one. Gold Coast today were able to do this on a few occasions and it worked well. You need full buy in from your forwards to work hard all day, and a young side like the Gold Coast may find that harder than others, but it works. A tsunami takes a while to recede, and the Giants are evidence of that, teams need to start to use it to their advantage to nullify those defenders.
The Coniglio Resurgence
It isn’t anything new that Stephen Coniglio is back to his best, but it’s especially worth a mention today.
As I mentioned above, Tom Green was below his best today, and someone else needed to stand up inside for GWS to win this game, and Coniglio was the man. 28 disposals, two goals, six tackles, five clearances, 10 inside 50s and 11 score involvements. He did a little bit of everything today and was the king of engine room.
His career resurgence is something to be admired by AFL fans. He’s shown resilience and is now an elder statesman leading the way for the younger guys in professionalism and effort at that club. It felt like everything important that happened went through him today and was integral to the victory. He deserves a mention and gets the three votes today.
The Side Notes
Sam Clohesy can play football. In his first game he was incredibly composed with the ball and looked like a hundred gamer already. Kicked a nice goal and got the ball moving for the Giants. I can’t see him coming out of this side any time soon.
It can’t be understated how important Jarrod Witts is to his side. He gives first use to a young midfield that really need the ball first right now to kick start their game. Without him, they look like an entirely different team. The most important player in that side.
Brent Daniels is such a skilled footballer. His decision-making is elite, and every possession counts with him. No goals today but he played a part in multiple others. Every team would love a guy like him.
Aaron Cadman looks great moving up the ground. I like seeing him push to the wings and providing an outlet. Needs a bigger tank to do it consistently, but I can see him being more than a forward if needed.
Noah Anderson continued on his way with 32 disposals and a goal. Never stopped trying today and deserves recognition. In a team with Rowell, he is the perfect guy to use the ball outside.
What Mattered Most
For a lot of the game, nothing really separated the two teams today. Both sides had players that performed well, both forward lines operated to a high level, and both defences were pretty good. All until the last quarter, where GWS ran over the top with little to stop them.
I think it comes down to experience and conditioning. Gold Coast had a lot of young guys out there today, GWS are a hardened side that could have played a Grand Final last year. These guys run all day and are a supremely talented side. It was always going to be hard for the Gold Coast to win the game and they should be credited for the first three quarters, but the Giants came home like a steam train and simply ran the game out better. If this game played out a similar way next year, I’d expect a contest right until the end. Right now, GWS are just a fitter, hardened team that were going to be near impossible for a young side to overcome.
So that’s all that mattered from the game today. Both sides should be pleased with a lot of aspects of their matches, but both also have a lot to work on. For what it’s worth, Gold Coast can play finals. They may not win one, but there is no reason they can’t get there if today is anything to go by.
GWS on the other hand should be pushing for a flag. They have everything they need right now to win and content for the next few years. I will be shocked if they don’t snag one within the next three years.
Next week Gold Coast take on Hawthorn back home and need to win the game to prove they’re a finals threat, I’d be incredibly disappointed if they lost that game. GWS take on St Kilda, and similarly should be looking to win and win well. All things considered, a bit to look forward to for both sides.
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