NSW/ACT Notebook: Round 18 Review

GWS GIANTS 12.15 (87) def. by Geelong 13.16 (94)
 
The GIANTS gave Geelong a mighty scare before going down by seven points at Spotless Stadium.
 
The home side trailed only by behinds at both quarter time and half time, before the Cats built a slight buffer in the third term.
 
Early in the fourth quarter, the Cats would have been forgiven for thinking the game was in the bag after their lead stretched out to six goals.
 
However, the GIANTS responded with a run that featured Tom Boyd tripling his career goal tally – from one to three – and the margin being whittled down to one kick.
 
With the threat of a draw looming, Steve Johnson found a ‘handy point’ for the visitors with a minute remaining and that would prove enough.
 
The GIANTS’ competitiveness came on the back of winning the clearances 42-30, though it was the Cats who won the disposal count convincingly (417-367).
 
Callan Ward was strong for the GIANTS with 31 disposals, six clearances and a goal. Toby Greene and Adam Treloar each topped 30 touches and had nine clearances apiece.
 
Jonathon Patton’s two goals came with 15 touches and nine marks.
 
Geelong were led by Joel Selwood who had 39 disposals and a goal.
 
The GIANTS this week face Richmond at the MCG.
 
Hawthorn 15.14 (104) def. Sydney Swans 13.16 (94)
 
The Swans have held on to top spot but couldn’t do enough to keep their win streak alive, going down to Hawthorn by 10 points in an MCG blockbuster.
 
There wasn’t much separating the two sides in the first half, the Hawks leading by four at the first change and the Swans by seven at the second.
 
Adam Goodes then kick-started a hot start to the third quarter by the Swans with two quick goals and before long, the margin was 23 points.
 
After a tense wait between goals, the Hawks had a spark of their own when Luke Breust stepped up for two goals in quick succession.
 
After trading the lead a further three times, it was Hawthorn ahead by nine going into the last change.
 
Thereafter, the Hawks did enough to protect their lead and run out a win in one of the season’s best games.
 
The Hawks won more of the footy (389-345) and used it better, but the Swans were able to stay in it with contested possessions (138-143) and tackles (47-65).
 
Ben McGlynn was a standout for the Swans with three goals, 23 disposals and nine tackles. Adam Goodes had four goals while Lance Franklin also had three.
 
Jarrad Roughead had a night out for the Hawks with four goals among 18 touches.
 
The Swans’ next assignment is hosting Essendon at the SCG this Friday.
 
NSW/ACT Notes
 
Ben McGlynn (Wentworth) had 23 disposals, nine tackles, eight inside 50s and three goals for the Swans. Kieren Jack (Pennant Hills) had 21 touches and seven tackles.
 
Dane Rampe (UNSW-ES Bulldogs) had 24 touches and six rebound 50s. Craig Bird (Nelson Bay) had 25 touches and seven clearances.
 
Jarrad McVeigh (Pennant Hills) saw 20 disposals and laid five tackles. Harry Cunningham (Turvey Park) took four marks.

Isaac Smith (Temora) kicked three goals and took seven marks for Hawthorn. Matt Suckling (Wagga Tigers) had 19 touches with six rebound 50s.
 
Luke Breust (Temora) kicked three goals and helped turn the tide in the Hawks’ favour during the third term. Will Langford (East Sydney) had 16 disposals.
 
Lenny Hayes (Pennant Hills) had 24 disposals, seven clearances and a trademark nine tackles in St Kilda’s surprise thumping of Fremantle. Hayes had announced his retirement earlier in the week.
 
Adam Schneider (Osborne) was also prominent in the win with 24 disposals, eight marks and a goal. Josh Bruce (Eastlake) took four marks.
 
Anthony Miles (North Albury) amassed 21 disposals at 81 percent efficiency, along with nine clearances and a goal, for Richmond in their win over West Coast. Sam Lloyd (Deniliquin) generated three inside 50s.
 
Taylor Walker (North Broken Hill) kicked three goals and had 14 disposals for Adelaide in their win over Collingwood.
 
Jarrod Witts (St Ives) had 23 hitouts and a goal for the Pies.
 
Tom Hawkins (Finley) kicked 2.2 and took eight marks for Geelong. Hamish McIntosh (Lavington) had 20 hitouts.
 
Zac Williams (Narrandera) had 16 touches and three inside 50s for the GIANTS. Phil Davis (Marist Canberra) had five marks and four one-percenters.
 
Sam Rowe (North Albury) took six marks and had 11 one-percenters for Carlton in their win over North Melbourne.
 
Aidan Riley (Figtree) laid seven tackles and picked up 12 disposals for Melbourne in the narrow loss to Port Adelaide.
 
NEAFL (Round 16)
 
Hills Eagles 8.10 (58) def. by Ainslie 12.16 (88)
Belconnen 21.17 (143) def. Eastlake 9.5 (59)
Southport 9.9 (63) def. by Redland 10.11 (71)
UWS GIANTS 21.19 (135) def. Sydney University 13.12 (90)
Sydney Swans, Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast Suns, NT Thunder, Queanbeyan, Aspley – bye
 
NEAFL (Round 17)
 
Brisbane Lions 13.11 (89) def. Gold Coast Suns 11.11 (77)
Aspley 19.8 (122) def. Redland 15.6 (96)
Queanbeyan 20.13 (133) def. Eastlake 11.6 (72)
NT Thunder 13.14 (92) def. Sydney Swans 8.11 (59)
Sydney University 23.13 (151) def. Belconnen 14.10 (94)
Ainslie, UWS GIANTS, Hills Eagles, Southport – bye