Greater Western Sydney has kicked off its third straight finals series in emphatic fashion with a 49-point victory over crosstown rivals, Sydney.
While the contest was tight and fiery throughout the first quarter, the Giants broke away from their opposition, dominating the contested ball (123-163) and inside 50s (39-63) to keep the Swans to just two second half goals.
Co-captain Phil Davis was inspirational down back, keeping champion Swans forward Lance Franklin goalless, while Toby Greene was at his damaging best on return with 27 disposals and three goals.
With many question marks surrounding the volume of players returning to the GWS side, it proved to be an inspired decision by the Giants coaching staff with Greene, Brett Deledio and Zac Williams all playing key roles in the victory.
The big story out of the game however was the knee injury sustained by Giants star Josh Kelly in the first quarter, which will put him serious doubt for next week’s semi-final against either West Coast or Collingwood.
After some solid performances leading into the finals, the Swans looked to put aside their SCG woes and go deep into the finals for yet another season.
With Leon Cameron looking to get after the Swans physically, it was an intense start with both sides seriously cracking in early.
Coming off a very solid debut season, Ben Ronke would get proceedings underway following a strong mark directly in front after 10 minutes of intense play.
It wouldn’t take the Giants long to hit back however, as All Australian snub Stephen Coniglio converted from a free kick to level things up.
After missing the past month, Greene would announce his return to the AFL stage with his trademark explosiveness, crafting a classy snap to give the Giants their first lead of the afternoon.
The next 15 minutes before quarter-time would be another huge arm wrestle, as a handful of behinds to each team would see GWS hold a five-point lead at the first change, despite the injury to Kelly.
With all the state of Kelly’s knee being on the forefront of all supporters' minds, the second quarter began in similar vein to the first, as neither team could effectively hit the scoreboard.
As the game sat on a knife's edge, young swan’s livewire Tom Papley would level things up with a classy finish from outside 50.
Despite this, it was clear GWS were dominating the game, with the Swans lack of inside 50 entries a particular worry.
De Boer would breakthrough for the Giants in the second as a classy snap saw the lead extend out to beyond a goal at the 13-minute mark.
With the Giants looking increasingly dangerous, all the Swans could do was hold on for dear life as Leon Cameron’s “Ferrari” kicked into gear.
A late goal to ever consistent forward Harry Himmelberg would prove crucial going into the main change, as GWS finally gained some scoreboard reward for their dominance.
With the Swans just hanging on, they would only trail by 15 points going into half-time with much improvement needed going into the second half.
Far below their best in the first half, the Swans needed to improve drastically if they were to extend their season another week.
But the signs were very ominous early as the class of the Giants would see them lock the ball in their forward half early, and score three unanswered majors in the third term.
Himmelberg would pop again five minutes into the third as a strong mark and conversion would make the task very tough for the sluggish Swans.
With their crosstown rivals now very much on the ropes, GWS would go in for the kill as Greene kicked his second to get the margin out to five goals.
A bout of inaccuracy would keep the door slightly ajar for Sydney, but it would be a big pack mark by star forward Jeremy Cameron that broke would finally break the Swans' hearts, as he duly converted to get the margin out to 35 points at the final change.
With the game being GWS’ to lose in the last, the professionalism of the young team would come to the fore as they completely blew away their rivals.
Greene would put through his third very early in the term to get the margin out above the 40 point mark, before being followed up with a long goal to co-captain Callan Ward, as the embarrassment continued to grow for the home team.
As the margin eclipsed the ten goal barrier, and Sydney staring down their lowest ever finals score, the Swans would finally salvage its first major since the beginning of the second term as a rare Davis mistake opened the door for Papley.
One more classy finish by Luke Parker would give the Swans brief joy - and avert their lowest ever finals score - as their season came to its disappointing conclusion.
49 points would be the final margin, as the impressive Giants emphatically added themselves into the premiership conversation.
As they eagerly await their semi-final opponent, Greater Western Sydney will be sweating on the fitness of star midfielder Kelly as they look to win their way into third straight preliminary final.
Sydney on the other hand will have a lot to think about over the off season as they look to bounce back from the disappointment of 2018.
SYDNEY 1.4 2.4 2.6 4.6 (30)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 2.3 4.7 7.11 10.19 (79)
GOALS
Sydney: Papley 2, Parker, Ronke
Greater Western Sydney: Greene 3, Himmelberg 2, Cameron 2, Ward, Coniglio, de Boer
BEST
Sydney: Kennedy, Parker, Cunningham, Papley, Hannebery
Greater Western Sydney: Davis, Greene, Himmelberg, Whitfield, Coniglio, Williams
INJURIES
Sydney: Newman (ankle)
Greater Western Sydney: Kelly (knee)
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