The GWS Giants have recorded their second straight loss in Perth, going down to the West Coast Eagles by 12 points at Optus Stadium this evening in the Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous round.
The Giants were completely outplayed early in the match before kicking the last four goals of the game to make the score 9.7 (61) to 7.7 (49).
The first quarter was all one-way traffic as the Eagles kicked four goals to none to open up a 26 point lead at quarter time and a blowout win was certainly on the cards.
Much like did in their loss to the Swans, the Giants failed to convert inside 50s into scores and had to wait until 17 minutes into the second quarter for their first goal of the match through Brent Daniels.
The scoring dried up for Eagles as they were held to just one goal in the second quarter to take a 22 point lead into half time.
Nic Naitanui was the star of the first half as he dominated Shane Mumford in the ruck and also managed to kick a goal.
The Giants got off to fast start in the second half through debutant Jake Riccardi, who kicked his first goal in the AFL much to the delight of his teammates.
Stephen Coniglio added another quick one to bring the Giants back into the contest and reduce the margin to just 10 points early in the third quarter.
However, the Eagles are a quality outfit and responded like a champion team does as they kicked the last three goals of the third quarter to open up a commanding 31 point lead.
The Eagles kicked the opening goal of the fourth quarter, but the Giants answered right back through Riccardi as he kicked his second goal.
Daniel Lloyd then bombed home a goal from outside 50 to breathe some life into the Giants late in the match.
Josh Kelly and Harry Himmelberg made it four in a row for the Giants to reduce the margin to just 12 points with two minutes remaining.
The Giants had one last foray forward, but Jeremy McGovern was there to save the day for Eagles as they hung on to record their eighth straight victory.
McGovern was enormous all game for the Eagles as he continually thwarted the Giants attacks, racking up eight intercept marks, an AFL high this season.
Riccardi was the shining light for the Giants, totaling 16 disposals, 10 marks and two goals in his first match and was clearly the Giants best forward as Jeremy Cameron was held goalless.
Josh Kelly was the Giants best midfielder kicking a goal to go along with his game-high 26 disposals while Nick Haynes continued his superb season down back with 17 disposals and three intercept marks.
The loss leaves the Giants in 11th spot on the ladder with just four matches remaining and in danger of missing finals.
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