Media article & stats: Tigers no match for Giants

[one-eyed]

Yellow and SMACKED: Orange tsunami dumps Tigers' finals hopes

By Callum Twomey
afl.com.au
13 August 2021 11pm

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY     6.3     12.5     15.8     16.10 (106)
RICHMOND                              2.2       4.3      6.4       10.7 (67)

GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Taranto 4, Himmelberg 3, de Boer 2, Lloyd 2, Hogan, Hopper, Mumford, Perryman, Ward
Richmond: Baker 2, Bolton 2, Lynch 2, Coleman-Jones, Edwards, M.Rioli, Riewoldt

BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Kelly, Taranto, Hopper, Cumming, Whitfield, Haynes
Richmond: Baker, Short, Rioli, Graham, Prestia

INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Nil
Richmond: Astbury (quad) replaced in selected side by Garthwaite

SUBSTITUTES
Greater Western Sydney: Riccardi (unused)
Richmond: Aarts (unused)

---------------------------------------------------

THESE were Giant killers of a different kind. 

As Greater Western Sydney went a long way to locking in its finals berth with a 39-point thrashing over Richmond, the Giants also effectively ended the Tigers' top-eight chances.

After three premierships in four years and back-to-back premierships, Richmond's now very, very slim 2021 finals hopes rely on West Coast losing its last two games and a stack of other results going its way in the rest of round 22 and round 23 next week.

The club's attempt for an historic third-consecutive flag was closed some time ago, but the Friday night loss to the Giants also served as a finishing blow to their finals hopes. The clash was billed as mini-knockout final but the reigning champs were on the canvas in the first round and their Marvel Stadium misery extended.

The Giants feasted on a tired Tigers outfit in the 16.10 (106) to 10.7 (67) win, which followed their season-defining victory over Geelong last week and leaves them as a bottom-half-of-the-eight threat for September.

A smacking, dismantling, deconstruction or just a belting – whichever way you looked at it, Leon Cameron's men put their cards on the table early and went on with the job and had winners everywhere. Returning pair Josh Kelly (32 disposals) and Jacob Hopper (26) were terrific in the midfield, Tim Taranto kicked four goals and Isaac Cumming and Nick Haynes were stellar in defence.

They were in control from the start. In a first quarter of dominance, Greater Western Sydney skipped to a 31-point advantage at the opening change.

Jesse Hogan got the ball rolling with an early major and Taranto's two goals – one a strong snap after fighting off a tackle and the next a steady set shot – put the Giants in motion. And the game was almost over when Harry Himmelberg booted his second after the quarter-time siren as the Giants slammed home seven goals in a supreme showing.

Richmond's inexperienced defence, which had taken another blow pre-game with David Astbury out due to a quad injury, was under fire and the avalanche continued in the second term. The Tigers kicked the first goal of the quarter before the Giants slammed on the next five, a procession that included two more for Taranto and another for Himmelberg.

Liam Baker's second goal, just before half-time, dragged the margin back to 50 points at the main break. But there was no final swing from the Tigers, no last throw at the stumps, no comeback or run or shift of momentum. The Giants tailed off late but the game, like Richmond's run at the flag, was over.

Kelly comes up trumps
Josh Kelly didn't let the speculation on his future impact his form when he was out of contract this year. But just days after recommitting to the Giants for a mammoth eight-year deal, Kelly put in one of his best performances of the season with 32 disposals in a brilliant midfield game. Kelly collected 12 disposals in the opening term after missing last week with a quad injury, had 19 by half-time and 26 by the last change, and he finished with a game-high 11 tackles.

Tim takes over from Toby
Days of conjecture about Toby Greene's suspension for striking Patrick Dangerfield – and his eventual unsuccessful appeal – left the Giants short of their superstar in a critical match. But Tim Taranto did a good impression of Greene, booting four goals from 18 disposals in an influential display. Taranto is one of the game's best inside midfielders but has always been able to push forward and hit the scoreboard and against the Tigers he was used in the front half for great impact. The Giants will welcome back Greene next week as they look to confirm their position in the top eight but the way they shared the spoils in attack against Richmond will fill them with confidence. 

Young Giant's latest tall task
After a week of debate about Tom Lynch's form, the Richmond key forward had a poor start, giving away a free kick in the forward line that saw Jack Riewoldt's long goal disallowed. Lynch chipped in for a first-half goal, and then another early in the third term to finish with two majors. But Sam Taylor, fresh from taking down Geelong champion Tom Hawkins last week, was also important in the air with six marks.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/663400/yellow-and-smacked-orange-tsunami-dumps-tigers-finals-hopes

[one-eyed]

Tigers’ era all but over, as Giants make finals statement

Jon Pierik
The Age
August 14, 2021

Greater Western Sydney have driven what shapes as a fatal dagger into Richmond’s premiership era while also taking a significant finals leap of their own after a 39-point win behind closed doors at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.

The Giants, missing suspended match-winner Toby Greene, backed up a stunning win over Geelong by toppling the premiers of three of the past four seasons to strengthen their hold on a September berth.

The Giants’ 100th win in club history propels them into seventh spot - at least until Sunday - while leaving the Tigers at least four points adrift of the top eight (depending on other results this round) with one home-and-away round remaining.

GWS may still need to beat Carlton next week to rubber-stamp a finals berth. The Tigers, with only two wins from their past nine matches, take on Hawthorn but face the distinct prospect of missing the finals for the first time since 2016.

The Giants were brutal in dissecting their opponents. They beat the Tigers at their own game in feasting on turnovers, enjoying a 38-19 advantage in points scored from this area to half-time, while coach Leon Cameron delivered a coaching masterclass. The Giants were patient and precise with the ball, all but refusing to play on after marks, and this did not allow the Tigers’ defence to work in unison. In fact, the Tigers were abysmal behind the ball. They are no longer the gold standard.

In a week when he signed an eight-year contract worth just under $8 million, Josh Kelly had 12 touches to quarter-time, and 32 for the match.

“We are just playing some good footy, everyone is playing their role, it’s exciting,” Kelly said.

Callan Ward and Jacob Hopper were robust, Shane Mumford’s importance in the ruck - he was one of six inclusions - was again highlighted, while Tim Taranto, typically a hard nut midfielder, was sent forward and had four goals to half-time. The dashing Nick Haynes and Isaac Cumming were superb across half back, while tagger Lachie Ash shut down Dion Prestia in the first half.

Defender Sam Taylor, set to sign a long-term contract, backed up his stellar performance against the Cats by holding Tom Lynch to two goals. The Giants led by 50 points at half-time and maintained their resolute manner after the break, as they have done while being on the road for almost eight weeks because of Sydney’s lockdown.

Dustin Martin’s absence has reinforced how important he has been to the Tigers in providing match-turning moments of brilliance. Proud skipper Trent Cotchin worked admirably in the midfield, so too Jayden Short, but there was no sign of the deep Tigers’ brigade of old. Four long finals campaigns in a row, injuries and even age have cruelled the Tigers this season but they have four selections within the first two rounds of this year’s national draft and can be in premiership contention again next season.

Early statement
The umpires had an early influence when a free kick was paid against Lynch for holding Taylor - just as Jack Riewoldt’s set shot from the boundary sailed through for a goal. Lynch made amends minutes later when his spearing pass found Liam Baker, who converted. Then came another contentious call when, before the ensuing centre bounce, Dylan Grimes was penalised for an elbow on Harry Himmelberg, gifting the Giants their second goal. But from there the Giants’ dominance was down to their own slick form. They had four goals from turnovers and their ball movement, led by Kelly and Haynes, was impeccable in their best first-term of the season. When Himmelberg converted his second after the siren, the Giants were in complete control - and never relinquished this hold.

Out of the hunt
Riewoldt began the night needing 12 goals over the final fortnight of the season to claim the Coleman Medal, with the top three leaders Harry McKay (58), Josh Bruce (48) and Taylor Walker (48) having had their seasons finished prematurely. Riewoldt responded by having only two touches to three quarter-time, his first goal coming in the final term, and left with hopes of a fourth Coleman dashed.

Best:

Richmond: Cotchin, Short, Baker, Rioli.

Greater Western Sydney: Kelly, Taranto, Hopper, Ward, Haynes, Taylor, Ash, Cumming

Votes:

8: Josh Kelly (GWS)
8: Jacob Hopper (GWS)
8: Tim Taranto (GWS)
7: Nick Haynes (GWS)
7: Callan Ward (GWS)

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/tigers-era-all-but-over-as-giants-make-finals-statement-20210813-p58ihw.html