GWS GIANTS 18.8 (116) d CARTLON 16.8 (104)
Kieren Briggs of the Giants competes for the ball against Patrick Cripps of the BluesCredit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
KEY POINTS
Briggs sets the tone
Bullocking ruckman Kieren Briggs may have done more than save the Giants’ season on Saturday night. Improbably, they’re still well within reach of a top-four berth, after a lean run: they’re just a game and a half behind fourth-placed Essendon, with a superior percentage. And Briggs was instrumental. After Tom De Koning dictated terms in the first quarter, Briggs worked his opponent over. Statistically, it was mostly an even contest, with both scoring 10 clearances, but it was Briggs who otherwise gave his midfield first use after quarter-time. A special mention should go to Tom Green, who played through severe discomfort after copping an accidental blow to his nose from De Koning, and of course Jesse Hogan, whose five goals were plucked from a towering nine marks, six contested.
Fonti the Flash
Joe Fonti didn’t make any headlines on draft night. The West Australian was taken with pick No. 44 by the Giants, recruited as an intercept defender — something they’re not short on. His athletic qualities were apparent: he was the quickest player over 20 metres at the three draft combines, and was second overall in the agility test. It all translated superbly on debut against Carlton, and then some. It wasn’t just Fonti’s raw speed and evasive ability that made him look like he had all the time in the world. He had smarts, knew where to run, and he used the ball with aplomb. He should have a long career. So, too, Darcy Jones, who in his fifth game again showed his elite class as a small forward. His run-down smother of Zac Williams, late in the third quarter to save a goal, showed his defensive capabilities, too.
Curnow beaten, keeps streak alive
Going into this game, Charlie Curnow had kicked a goal in his last 62 games, the longest active streak in the AFL. For a long time, it looked like that streak was coming to an end, with Curnow thoroughly beaten on the night by the impressive Jack Buckley. But Curnow did find something late in the game, keeping the streak alive with a goal in the last quarter, as well as handing off another to Harry McKay, whose kicking — he kicked five goals — has never looked truer. With five minutes to go, as the Blues rattled home, it looked like they might just pinch it. Other than Blues skipper Patrick Cripps, though, the Giants had most of the best players on the ground, and thoroughly deserved the four points.