Greater Western Sydney are not prepared to accept honourable losses after their valiant effort against high-flying Geelong.
The Giants kicked five of the last six goals at Spotless Stadium on Saturday to go down by just seven points after trailing by 37 early in the final quarter.
It was a fourth straight AFL loss for GWS, who have notched just four wins for the season. The Giants could have been forgiven for being buoyed by their rousing late fightback, but it was exactly the opposite according to defender and co-captain Phil Davis.
“I think one of the most positive signs out of it was we came into the rooms and there was a very, very big element of disappointment,” Davis said.
“I think that’s really important. Especially early on in our time, people talked about honourable losses.
“I think we’re past that stage. We want to be a football club that wins and wins all the time, and I think tonight set a standard.
“We’re starting to make some really big strides and we expect to perform at that level against every opposition.”
After a treacherous four-week schedule including games against top four sides, Sydney, Fremantle and Geelong and finals aspirants Adelaide, GWS have a timely bye.
“I can clearly see our boys probably need a spell,” Giants coach Leon Cameron said.
Their next assignment is at the MCG, against Richmond, who inflicted GWS’s heaviest defeat of the season, a 113-point flogging in Sydney, the week after their previous bye.
“Our effort first up after the bye last time was really disappointing, so we need to make sure we remedy that and come prepared to play against the Tigers,” Cameron said.
Rookie forward Tom Boyd, the No.1 pick of last year’s draft, showed glimpses of his undoubted potential against Geelong.
Playing his fourth senior game, Boyd rallied after a quiet start to kick two final quarter goals, his first multiple goal haul at the top level.
“To kick a couple of goals was really pleasing for his confidence, but also the confidence in the group to actually kick long to him,” Cameron said.
The only new injury worry for the Giants was defender Lachie Plowman, who suffered a corked thigh.
