Sam Taylor and Toby Greene have helped the GWS Giants to a famous 19-point victory over the Geelong Cats at GMHBA stadium on Friday night.
Taylor was enormous down back with 17 intercept possessions and keeping Tom Hawkins to just one goal as GWS caused a 13.6 (84) to 8.17 (65) boilover, giving their finals chances a massive boost in the process.
Greene kicked four crucial goals but could be in hot water after his high forearm resulted in Patrick Dangerfield being taken to hospital with a throat injury.
In the midst of a tight battle for a top-eight spot, GWS made seven forced changes to their team during the week and lost star midfielder Josh Kelly to a quad complaint hours before the match.
They conceded the first goal within 30 seconds when Geelong defender Jake Kolodjashnij crept forward unmarked to kick the first major of his 127-game career.
But the Giants hit back and shocked their hosts with the next five goals as Greene kick-started the run with a clever snap.
He was instrumental while Tim Taranto tallied 34 disposals, nine tackles, six clearances and two goals in an outstanding midfield display.
Callan Ward was strong in the middle, Taylor and Nick Haynes stood tall in defence and Callum Brown kicked two goals in his first starting appearance.
Irish recruit Brown was one of 10 players in the Giants team with fewer than 25 games’ experience.
GWS lost Brent Daniels to a hamstring injury that left the unlucky midfielder in tears on the bench during the third quarter.
The Cats lost Gary Rohan and Zac Tuohy to hamstring injuries.
Greene is certain to come under scrutiny from the league’s match review officer (MRO) over an attempted fend-off gone wrong.
Greene raised his forearm trying to shrug a tackle from Dangerfield during the first quarter and made contact with the Cats champion in the throat and jaw region.
Dangerfield took his free kick but left the field soon afterwards and was substituted out of the game at quarter-time, before being taken to hospital for further medical assessment.
Cats captain Joel Selwood will also likely be looked at by the MRO after running past the football to deliver a high bump on Taylor.
It was a tremendous win for the gutsy Giants, who have been on the road since fleeing coronavirus-hit Sydney in late June.
GWS have jumped into the top eight with Fremantle a chance to knock them back to ninth with a win over Brisbane in Perth on Sunday.
AAP
