Team GWS records its first win
Greater Western Sydney has recorded its first win of the season in the TAC Cup after beating the Bendigo Pioneers by 66 points in Craigieburn, Victoria on Saturday.
In windy conditions, GWS started the game well with the midfielders finding plenty of the ball and providing the forwards with myriad opportunities in front of goal, racing out to a 21-point lead at the first change.
GWS produced one of their most impressive quarters of the season on the weekend when the club booted nine goals and two behinds in the second term and headed into the main break with a comfortable ten-goal lead.
With GWS in the box seat for victory after an inspiring first half performance, the wind started to pick up in the penultimate quarter, and with it, saw GWS’ accuracy in front of goal dwindle slightly.
In a tight third quarter both clubs struggled to kick goals, with Bendigo finishing the term slightly better kicking 15-points to GWS’ two goals.
GWS headed into the final quarter with a 61-point point lead but the term finished much the same as the quarter before it with both team’s having difficulties with the windy conditions.
While GWS kicked two goals and seven behinds for the quarter, it was good enough to ensure the team recorded its first win for the year after a dominant first half.
For GWS, Kane Murphy was impressive up forward booting three goals, while Alex Carey found plenty of the footy and was instrumental in setting up the 11-goal victory.
It was a fantastic team effort for the side, with 13 different goal scorers for the match, including two goals each from James Webster, Blake Bray, Jacob Townsend and Tyson Carracher.
The win puts the team in a good position for a Manuka Oval clash against the Western Jets in the nation’s capital on Saturday at 10am. The players will also get a lot out of the contest ahead of the Under-18 Championships in two weeks time.
Greater Western Sydney 19.12.126 v Bendigo Pioneers 9.6.60
Bendigo Pioneers
Goal Kickers: W. Hancock 2, J. Stringer 2, L. Anderson 2, . Reid, M. Kelly, M. Collins
Best Players: M. Collins, B. Collins, J. Stringer, . Reid, M. Costello, L. Anderson
Greater Western Sydney
Goal Kickers: K. Murphy 3, J. Webster 2, B. Bray 2, J. Townsend 2, T. Carracher 2, S. Milne, J. Lynch, J. Brooks, J. WHITFORD, T. Stubbs, K. Stevens, H. Cumming, A. CAREY
Best Players: A. CAREY, J. Townsend, J. Webster, K. Stevens, W. Langford, S. Martyn