GWS stun Adelaide in massive boost to AFL finals hopes

A red-hot GWS have overrun Adelaide for the second time this season to safe their fifth victory on the trot with a 14-point triumph at Adelaide Oval.

The Giants booted all 5 objectives of a gripping last time period to grab a stirring 10.11 (71) to eight.9 (57) win on the highway and climb over the Crows to the brink of the highest eight.

Skipper Toby Greene sparked the Giants’ comeback with the primary main of the ultimate time period however it was veteran Daniel Lloyd who booted the sealer in a fiery conflict on Saturday night time.

The Crows led by 17 factors on the final change however have been then held goalless because the Giants once more surged previous them after overcoming an early 31-point deficit towards the identical crew in spherical one.

Lachie Whitfield was chic in his 2 hundredth AFL match for the Giants, amassing 28 disposals and 425 metres gained, whereas Josh Kelly bounced again from a uncommon quiet recreation with 28 touches and 9 clearances.

Kelly added the second aim of the ultimate time period and Greene completed with three majors because the Giants (9-8) confirmed their finals credentials and moved as much as ninth place.

“Lachie Whitfield’s 2 hundredth tonight, and also you ask the fellows to play like Lachie with a little bit of braveness and dare and that is precisely what you get to a person,” Giants coach Adam Kingsley stated.

“That is most likely a mirrored image of how a lot the group and the membership loves Lachie Whitfield.

“However that is a standard theme amongst all of our extra skilled gamers, they wish to achieve success each individually however extra importantly as a bunch.”

The Crows (8-9) missed a possibility to reclaim a spot within the prime eight with simply their third loss from 10 matches on residence turf this season to spoil former captain Rory Sloane’s 250th match.

Present skipper Jordan Dawson (27 disposals) battled arduous for the Crows together with Rory Laird (33, one aim) and Brodie Smith (27) however they finally paid the value for failing to take their possibilities in a heated contest.

A fired-up Josh Rachele was concerned in a operating battle with Harry Perryman and the Crows can even be sweating on the evaluation of a report for the younger gun’s excessive hit on Jack Buckley.

The 2 finals contenders went goal-for-goal early with the Crows’ key ahead Riley Thilthorpe slotting a set shot after the siren to seize the lead on the first change.

The Crows pulled away with three objectives to none within the second time period as their midfield acquired on prime, then held the Giants at arm’s-length till the guests shocked them with a final-term fightback.

“I believe our opposition took their recreation to a different degree which was larger than ours,” Crows coach Matthew Nicks stated.

“I am not saying that we have been actually poor, however it was a great distance from our greatest, a great distance, which is essentially the most disappointing half.”

GWS subsequent host Gold Coast at Manuka Oval on Sunday, whereas Adelaide might be out to show round their type on the highway once they face Melbourne on the MCG the identical day.