Giants beat Eagles for first time in AFL

GWS forward Toby Greene has overcome a case of the wobbles to lift his side to an epic eight-point win over West Coast in Perth.

Greene booted two goals in the final term of the Domain Stadium clash as the Giants came from behind to post the 14.14 (98) to 14.6 (90) win.

The final quarter featured eight lead changes as the two heavyweights slugged it out.

Greene had endured a shocking day in front of goal over the first three quarters.

He had three behinds to his name until that point and two other shanks that didn’t even register a score.

But he produced the goods when it mattered.

He nailed a long-range set shot to put his team up by nine points at the 24-minute mark of the last quarter.

And he saved his best for last, nailing a 50m running shot from the boundary to ice the Giants’ first ever win over West Coast.

The result lifted GWS (8-2) to equal top of the ladder, while West Coast (6-4) are back in the pack following consecutive losses.

Adding to West Coast’s woes, star forward Josh Kennedy appears set for a stint on the sidelines after injuring his right leg early in the final quarter.

Kennedy slumped to the turf in pain before being carried off the field.

The two-time Coleman medallist applied ice to his calf/Achilles region.

West Coast were dealt a double blow before the game when Mark LeCras (hip) was ruled out on Saturday before Luke Shuey (calf) became a late scratching.

It took the number of changes from the previous week to seven.

GWS were also dealt a late blow with star midfielder Tom Scully ruled out with knee soreness.

It meant the Giants were missing almost half of their best 22 through injury, with Stephen Coniglio, Ryan Griffen, Steve Johnson, Brett Deledio and Rory Lobb among the stars sidelined.

West Coast were smashed in the contested possession count during last week’s 61-point loss to Essendon but displayed renewed hunger against the Giants, winning that key stat 47-34 in the opening quarter.

And combined with their straight kicking on goal, West Coast entered the first break with a handy 14-point advantage.

GWS won the clearance count 17-4 in the second term as their midfield took control.

But with Jeremy McGovern, Brad Sheppard, Shannon Hurn and Will Schofield holding firm in defence, West Coast were able to limit the damage.

Tempers threatened to boil over when Giants ruckman Shane Mumford felled Mark Hutchings with a powerful bump.

Eagles speedster Lewis Jetta came in to remonstrate and the premiership wingman could be scrutinised for the way he took Mumford down.

Neither team could break away in an epic second half until Greene’s heroics in the final quarter.

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