NSW/ACT Notebook: Round 14 Review

Richmond 7.9 (51) def. by Sydney Swans 9.8 (62)
 
The Swans did what they had to do to win their ninth game in a row, downing Richmond by 11 points at the MCG.
 
The game itself wasn’t the prettiest, as John Longmire admitted after the game, however the Swans simply found a way to recover after the Tigers got the jump on them early.
 
Richmond had 54 of the game’s first 70 possessions and by one stage in the second term, they were 26 points up.
 
The Swans limited them thereafter, holding the home side to a mere one goal in the third term and none in the final term as they willed themselves home.
 
Lance Franklin had four goals and produced 17 disposals at 94 percent efficiency to eventually get on top of Tiger defender and recent nemesis Alex Rance.
 
In the middle, Josh Kennedy had seven clearances, 12 tackles and 17 contested possessions. Luke Parker had 11 tackles and five inside 50s.
 
Rhyce Shaw left the field in the second quarter with an ankle injury which may put him on the sidelines over the coming weeks.
 
The Swans next host the GIANTS at the SCG.
 
GWS GIANTS 15.10 (100) def. Carlton 14.8 (92)
 
The GIANTS have won back-to-back games for the first time ever after beating Carlton by eight points at Spotless Stadium.
 
After the two sides exchanged goals in the first quarter, the GIANTS built a buffer in the second and led at the main break by 21 points.
 
They looked a strong chance to hold on for most of the second half, until Blue Troy Menzel cut the deficit to 13 points at the 21-minute mark of the final term.
 
However, it took the Blues another seven minutes to find another goal and by then, it was too late.
 
The key statistical wins for the GIANTS were in the hitouts (58-42) and the tackles (77-58).
 
Shane Mumford had a massive game with 55 hitouts and nine tackles. Callan Ward and Stephen Coniglio each amassed 29 touches.
 
Up forward, Rhys Palmer had three goals while Jonathon Patton (two goals) and Tom Boyd (one goal) showed promising signs as a key forward partnership.
 
The GIANTS travel to the SCG next week to face the Swans.
 
NSW/ACT Notes
 
Anthony Miles (North Albury) fired for Richmond, amassing 28 disposals, kicking two goals and laying eight tackles.
 
Harry Cunningham (Turvey Park) had 22 disposals, six marks and six tackles for the Swans. Jarrad McVeigh (Pennant Hills) had 21 touches and a goal.
 
Kieren Jack (Pennant Hills) had two goals. Brandon Jack (Pennant Hills) had 17 disposals and five marks.
 
Craig Bird (Nelson Bay) had six tackles and five marks. Dane Rampe (UNSW-ES Bulldogs) had seven one-percenters and six rebound 50s.
 
Luke Breust (Temora) bagged four goals and had a further five inside 50s for Hawthorn in their win over Collingwood. Isaac Smith (Temora) had 22 touches and a goal.
 
Matt Suckling (Wagga Tigers) took eight marks and had 21 disposals. Taylor Duryea (Wahgunyah) had 13 disposals and four marks.
 
Jarrod Witts (St Ives) was one of the Magpies’ best thanks to his 25-hitout, two-goal performance. His afternoon will be best remembered, however, for being on the end of an animated Nathan Buckley spray.
 
Daniel Cross (Albury) amassed 24 touches and laid eight tackles for Melbourne in their loss to North Melbourne. Aidan Riley (Figtree) kicked a goal after coming on as the sub in the third quarter.
 
Lenny Hayes (Pennant Hills) picked up 25 disposals, took seven marks and kicked a goal for St Kilda in the loss to West Coast.
 
Phil Davis (Marist Canberra) had 15 disposals, five rebound 50s and four marks for the GIANTS.
 
Sam Rowe (North Albury) had 12 disposals for the Blues.
 
Tom Hawkins (Finley) kicked 3.2 for Geelong in the loss to Gold Coast. Hamish McIntosh (Lavington) had 27 hitouts and three clearances.
 
Taylor Walker (North Broken Hill) kicked 2.1, took nine marks and had 17 disposals for Adelaide in the loss to Essendon.
 
Jason Tutt (Ainslie) had a goal and 13 touches for the Western Bulldogs in their loss to Port Adelaide.
 
NEAFL (Round 13)
 
Hills Eagles 12.13 (85) def. Eastlake 7.13 (55)
Southport 23.10 (148) def. Queanbeyan 5.7 (37)
Brisbane Lions 10.11 (71) def. by UWS GIANTS 13.14 (92)
Sydney University 7.5 (47) def. by Sydney Swans 9.13 (67)
Belconnen 7.12 (54) def. by Ainslie 11.13 (79)
NT Thunder 21.16 (142) def. Gold Coast Suns 9.9 (63)
Aspley 15.11 (101) def. Redland 13.7 (85)