GWS GIANTS
2.4 4.7 8.12 14.14 (98)
WEST COAST
5.0 6.2 9.3 14.6 (90)
GOALS - GWS: Shiel 2, Cameron 2, Patton 2, Greene 2, Lloyd, Himmelberg, Kelly, Whitfield, Taranto, Williams. West Coast: Kennedy 3, Darling 2, Jetta 2, Vardy 2, Petrie, Cripps, Hutchings, Karpany, Mitchell.
BEST - GWS: Kelly, Ward, Greene, Shiel, Williams, Kennedy. West Coast: Mitchell, McGovern, Sheed, Yeo, Gaff, Jetta.
UMPIRES Nicholls, Margetts, Fleer.
CROWD 37,057 at Domain Stadium.
Greater Western Sydney continue to find ways to win. Despite having up to half of their best 22 sitting on the sidelines injured, the Giants overcame another slow start and inaccuracies in front of goal, to beat West Coast by eight points.
For the third consecutive week, they came home strongly to win a thriller. The victory was also their first ever against the Eagles – on any ground. But they had to endure 13 lead change throughout the game and eight in the final term, to get there.
The result could be more significant for the Eagles' season than a missed opportunity to grab four points against a premiership contender. Reigning Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy limped from the ground in the final term with what looked an achilles or calf injury. He was on crutches after the game.
After being well held by Giants defender Aidan Corr for a half, his two goals in the third term and a third at the start of the fourth, had the Eagles looking dangerous in attack.
The chances continued to come after he left the ground and Jack Darling, Nathan Vardy and even Sam Mitchell (who kicked his first major since round 15, 2015) chipped in to keep the game tight. Mitchell also collected 31 touches, more than 30 for the 119th time, meaning he has done so more than any other player – overtaking former St Kilda great Robert Harvey.
As Kennedy was carried off, Zac Williams kicked a goal to give the Giants the lead. From there, the Eagles missed some important shots on goal. Darling missed a sitter from a set shot and youngster Malcolm Karpany one on the run.
At the other end, Toby Greene slotted two tough late goals that proved the difference.
It was another unflattering start by the Giants though, who lost their third consecutive opening term – their only three first-quarter losses of the season. They trailed Collingwood by 26 points at quarter-time in round eight and by 31 points to Richmond last week.
They managed only two goals against the Eagles on Sunday and found themselves 14 points arrears at the first break. They came back to beat the Pies and Tigers in thrillers, each by three points. They also beat the Western Bulldogs by two points in round six.
These victories will be important as the season continues to play out.
Some of those missing Giants will eventually start to come back during the second half of the season. After losing Steve Johnson and Rory Lobb from last week's team, the Giants were forced to withdraw Tom Scully before Sunday's game due to knee soreness
But Dylan Shiel was able to provide the run early in the game. He kicked the first goal of the game and his second, just before half-time, brought the Eagles lead back to a manageable nine points.
In the second half Josh Kelly took control, finishing with 29 possessions. Callum Ward had 33.
In that first half, goals were difficult for GWS to find. They had 4.7 at the break and yet trailed by only seven points. They kicked 10.7 after the break, to the Eagles 8.4.
The Eagles were always going to come out firing after being embarrassed by Essendon at Etihad Stadium last weekend.
Their intent was questioned after the 61-point loss to Bombers where they fell way short of their opponent in contested football.
So it should not have surprised anyone that they led in that stat by 13 at quarter-time against the Giants.
The Eagles rang the changes during the week. The late withdrawal of Luke Shuey (calf) meant Adam Simpson had seven different players on the ground this week to last.
And some of those given second chances were notable contributors early.
Lewis Jetta has been cooling his heels in the WAFL, but looked like the old Sydney Swans speedster for the first time in a long time. He 12 touches in the first half and finished with 28 and two goals for the game.
But the Giants continued to work into the game and almost equalled the contested possession count by game's end. It was the 56 inside-50 entries and a better result in front of goals that made the difference.
