Kevin Sheedy predicted Greater Western Sydney’s first win of the year wouldn’t be their last, after they smashed several club records in a drought-breaking 37-point AFL victory over Melbourne on Saturday.
Down by 13 early, GWS led at every change and kicked seven goals to three in the final quarter to record a 19.10 (124) to 12.15 (87) victory at Skoda Stadium.
It was the Giants’ highest ever score and largest winning margin with their 7.3 haul in the final term the most they have kicked in a single quarter.
The victory snapped a 21-match losing streak and was the Giants’ first win in a year since they beat Port Adelaide in the corresponding round in 2012.
It was the Giants first win over a Victorian team and moved them to within four points of second-from-bottom Melbourne, who slumped to a fifth straight loss.
“I never thought we would have a winless season, but you’ve just got to believe that in your heart,” said Sheedy, who finishes up at the end of the current campaign.
“I think it won’t be our only win this season.
“The people in orange today were starting to dance a bit by the end of the game, but for the club and the players it was really important because they have worked hard and they are developing into a really good side.”
The Giants set up their win with six straight goals either side of the first quarter.
They had a 31-point lead in the third quarter lead slashed to 13 at the last change.
Jeremy Cameron and Devon Smith kicked the first two goals of the final quarter to settle the Giants nerves.
Sheedy stopped short of declaring the drought-breaking win a turning point in the fledgling club’s history.
“It’s the start of a long curve because in all honesty we played a team today that is probably nearly as young as ourselves,” Sheedy said.
Earlier in the season, Melbourne produced their highest scoring quarter in history to run over the Giants, who on Saturday reversed their trend of falling away towards the end of games.
“It shows great maturity from our young players that they don’t just stop in the last quarter,” said Giants’ co-captain Callan Ward.
He was inspirational, tallying a game-high 31 touches and kicking four goals, as did Cameron, while Smith kicked three goals in the last quarter.
Melbourne coach Neil Craig pointed out most of the statistical categories were fairly even.
“One thing that stood out was their scores from our turnovers,” Craig said.
“After a period of time that saps you,” added Craig, who took some solace form the efforts of Dean Kent and Tom McDonald.
Kent and Jack Watts each kicked two goals for Melbourne and Nathan Jones accumulated 29 possessions.