In a thrilling elimination final at the MCG, GWS showcased their formidability, sealing a 24-point victory over St Kilda and securing their spot in week two of the AFL finals. The Giants entered the contest on the back of an impressive nine wins from 11 games, and their performance reflected their stellar run.
The opening quarter saw a blistering display from GWS, as they fired off five goals to St Kilda’s two, setting the stage for their eventual triumph. St Kilda faced a daunting 43-point deficit in the third quarter, but a spirited comeback saw them narrowing the gap. However, they couldn’t breach the three-goal barrier before the Giants cemented their lead in the final term.
Jake Ricciardi led the charge for GWS with an impressive three goals, a feat matched by St Kilda’s sharpshooter, Max King. The game kicked off with a goal apiece within the first 90 seconds, before Rowan Marshall’s strike gave the Saints a fleeting lead at the eight-minute mark.
The Giants then unleashed an onslaught, netting eight unanswered goals until the early stages of the second quarter. Their precise ball movement left the Saints’ defense scrambling to keep up. Yet, just as the game seemed to be slipping from their grasp, St Kilda rallied with a couple of crucial goals to stay within striking distance.
Cooper Sharman halted GWS’s momentum with a spectacular mark and a goal from 30 meters out, prompting a roar of relief from the crowd. Max King, St Kilda’s spearhead, took charge, notching two goals in quick succession. GWS responded with a goal from Josh Kelly, but a last-second effort from Brad Hill brought the halftime score to a 29-point difference.
The third quarter witnessed a surge in intensity, as the Saints fought valiantly to narrow the gap. However, missed opportunities proved costly. Toby Bedford, the dynamic Giants’ small forward who defied a one-week ban to play, delivered two pivotal goals, the second of which landed a decisive blow on St Kilda in the third term.
With this commanding performance, GWS sets the stage for a riveting semifinal showdown next week against the loser of the qualifying final between Brisbane and Port Adelaide. The Giants’ precision and determination in this clash have undoubtedly solidified their status as a force to be reckoned with in this year’s AFL finals.