Enigmatic GWS forward Jake Stringer has kicked a career-high haul of seven goals to lead the Giants to a stunning 21-point upset win over Fremantle at Manuka Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The Giants came into the match without a host of senior players and also lost Lachie Whitfield to a concussion at half-time, but still managed to have enough firepower to pull off the big win.
Stringer was the main focal point up forward, kicking seven goals in one of the best performances of his 243-game career.
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His brilliant snap in the final quarter shut the door on Fremantle, but it was a celebration earlier in the match that caught the eye.
After kicking a set shot, Stringer immediately turned around and fired an imaginary gun at the direction of Fremantle antagonist Patrick Voss.
Speaking after the match, Stringer confirmed his former Essendon teammate had been given him a “bit of cheek”.
“Vossy … I played with him at the Bombers. He’s a good kid. We always talk about going home up in Wagga, he was giving me a bit of cheek so just gave him a friendly reminder,” he told Fox Footy with a laugh.
Having lost three straight going into their match against the AFL’s ladder leaders at Manuka Oval on Saturday, GWS (7-9) needed a response to keep themselves in the finals race.
Off-contract Toby Greene delivered for the home team, manufacturing a masterclass with 27 and three majors, while key forward Stringer was hot in front of goal to steer the Giants to a 16.13 (109) to 13.10 (88) win.
Significantly, the victory ends the Dockers’ (14-2) club record 14-game winning streak and dashes their hopes of retaining a two-win advantage over the second-placed Sydney Swans on the ladder.
It wasn’t a smooth sailing victory for GWS, though, as both teams went tit for tat in the first quarter, but the Giants’ defence kept the Dockers’ star-studded attack at bay from the second period onwards.
A flurry of majors towards the end of the third period laid the platform for the home team’s victory, and they kept their composure in the last quarter to seal victory.
Defender Connor Idun was prolific, registering 26 disposals and 12 marks, while midfielder Finn Callaghan had 30 disposals to make up for the loss of star Whitfield.
Victory also comes as the Giants’ injury list ballooned to a mammoth 15 players, although their dominance in Freo’s territory, along with their lopsided clearance count (42 to 28), proved the difference.
The away side couldn’t replicate their 51-point demolition of Gold Coast last Sunday, although defender Karl Worner continued his glittering form, registering 29 disposals, while midfielder Caleb Serong notched 31.
They will have to hope midfielder Hayden Young recovers well from a groin injury after he left the field in the second half.
The Giants started hot with Stringer booting two early goals, but the Dockers switched gears and restricted the home team’s lead to two points at the first break.
GWS upped the ante on their defensive pressure and it paid off as the home team beefed their advantage up to 58-45 at halftime.
Giants defender Whitfield copped an arm to the head late in the second period, but GWS shook off his loss to take a 22-point lead into the final break.
The home team continued to implore their powerful ball movement, and their Dockers couldn’t find enough goal-scoring moments to produce a comeback.
— with AAP
