GREATER Western Sydney has maintained its position in the top eight after taking care of struggling North Melbourne by 54 points in Canberra.
Having had 10 days to process the startling 88-point thumping by the Western Bulldogs, the Giants pulled away from the Kangaroos early on Sunday at Manuka Oval.
Leading by 58 points midway through the third quarter, GWS took the foot off the pedal in the 20.13 (133) to 12.7 (79) win.
Callum Brown led the Giants’ goal-kicking with an equal career-high five, while former Essendon and Western Bulldogs star Jake Stringer was lively with three before he was tactically subbed out in the third term.
Young forward Aaron Cadman kicked four goals, moving to 42 for the season.
Cadman should have finished with at least five, but missed one chance when he inexplicably played on in the goal square and was caught holding the ball.
Midfielders Tom Green (25 disposals) and Finn Callaghan (31) were exceptional, making sure North’s talented onball brigade didn’t get the Kangaroos into the contest.
The Giants now sit at 14-7, ahead of games against Gold Coast and St Kilda to complete their home-and-away campaign.
Due to their percentage, the Giants may need to win both their remaining matches to be guaranteed of playing finals.
Set to finish in the bottom three, North was delighted with the debuts of Cooper Trembath and Geordie Payne.
Trembath made the most of his opportunities up forward, kicking an equal team-high three goals.
Trembath’s family became emotional in the stands after the 19-year-old – a mid-season rookie draft selection this year – booted his first goal.
Former Sydney star Luke Parker continued his impressive first season with the Kangaroos, gathering 28 possessions and a team-high nine clearances.
North will have a chance to leapfrog Richmond into 16th on the ladder when it faces the Tigers in Hobart next Sunday.
Roo’s magic moment on debut
Cooper Trembath’s grandmother stole the show in the first quarter, after the debutant slotted the first goal of his AFL career. Dabbing at her eyes with a tissue, her emotion at her grandson’s big moment was evident – despite her deep-rooted love for the Western Bulldogs. The tears continued to flow when Trembath kicked his second and third goals, with her Dogs-themed knitted gloves on full display.
String ’em up
Jake Stringer is hitting some fine form right when it matters, as the Giants head – hopefully – into finals. The former Bulldog and Bomber had three goals in less than 45 per cent of game time, with the Giants subbing the veteran out just midway through the third quarter.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 5.0 10.6 16.10 20.13 (133)
NORTH MELBOURNE 2.3 4.4 9.6 12.7 (79)
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Brown 5, Cadman 4, Stringer 3, Greene 3, Thomas, Green, Callaghan, Bedford, Angwin
North Melbourne: Trembath 3, Darling 3, Harvey 2, Stephens, Payne, Parker, McKercher
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Callaghan, Greene, Whitfield, Green
North Melbourne: Parker, McKercher, Wardlaw, Sheezel
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Nil
North Melbourne: Riley Hardeman (concussion)
SUBSTITUTES
Greater Western Sydney: Harry Rowston (replaced Jake Stringer in the third quarter)
North Melbourne: Bailey Scott (replaced Riley Hardeman in the first quarter)
Crowd: 11,753 at Manuka Oval
