5.30pm: The two teams have headed out of Narrandera, after enjoying the hospitality and facilities of the Sportsground. Both coaches spoke with the media afterwards…
FULL-TIME: GWS 10.10.70 – 5.7.37 WCE at Narrandera Sportsground. Jon Patton an eye-catcher with three goals; Giants put paid to the Eagles in the first quarter and were never in danger. WCE’s young side lacked polish and were unable to finish off some of their good passages.
22nd minute (fourth quarter): Tim Mohr kicks a goal for GWS from a free inside the square. GWS 10.10.70 – 5.7.37 WCE
CROWD at Narrandera is a disappointing 3,984 on a spectacular summer’s day.
6th min (fourth quarter): The game has opened up a little: Tom Lamb with a goal for Eagles, but Sam Reid replies in the 7th min for Giants to maintain their comfortable buffer. GWS 9.6.60 – 5.6.36.
4th min (fourth quarter): Patton marks and kicks his third goal as GWS stretch out to a four-goal lead. GWS 8.6.54 – 4.5.29 WCE
1st min (fourth quarter): Dan Lloyd breaks the goal drought snapping from in front for Giants. GWS 7.6.48-4.5.29 WCE
3.45pm: THREE-QUARTER TIME: GWS 6.6.42 – 4.5.29 WCE Just a 21’49 quarter.
3.40pm: We’re back after a short power re-charge and the teams have kindly put the goal-scoring on hold. Only three behinds in 20 minutes in the third quarter.
West Coast have managed to open the game up on a few occasions but movement breaking down inside 50 or on the last play. GWS 6.5.41 – 4.5.29 WCE
3pm: HALF-TIME at Narrandera. GWS 6.4.40 – 4.3.27 WCE Giants unable to sustain first quarter pressure right through the second term, allowing the young West Coast outfit to play a little catch-up.
25th min (second quarter): Malcolm Karpany provides a superb Eagles highlight with a lovely left-foot snap from out wide. GWS 6.4.40 – 4.3.27 WCE
21st min (second quarter): Jon Patton kicks his second after another strong grab, reprising his excellent first quarter. GWS 6.4.40 - 4.3.20 WCE
16th min (second quarter): Elliot Yeo with a goal for the Eagles as Giants intensity has dropped a touch. GWS 5.3.33 – 3.2.20 WCE
12th min (second quarter): Tarir Bayok with West Coast’s second goal after Eagles sustain a little pressure for a couple of minutes, for the first time in the game. GWS 5.3.33 – 2.2.14 WCE
5th min (second quarter): Tom Downie opens the second-quarter scoring for the Giants. GWS 5.3.33 – 1.1.7 WCE. Eagles had an early chance but it’s their defence which is getting the workout again, trying to stem the tide.
2.30pm: Quarter-time at Narrandera and it’s been all the Giants, with too much pressure and too much speed. West Coast have had only a couple of occasions on which they’ve looked inspiring. GWS 4.3.27 – 1.0.6 WCE.
16th min: Giants reply through Tendai Mzungu, snapping one from close range after Jon Patton had marked and attempted to play on. GWS 4.1.25-1.0.6 WCE. Giants have had 11 inside-50s to Eagles’ one.
15th min: WCE are on the board through Kurt Mutimer, after going inside-50 for the first time – from a free kick after a 50m penalty. GWS 3.1.19 – 1.0.6 WCE
6th min: Three goals inside six minutes for Giants. as Daniel Lloyd delivers. GWS 3.0.18 – 0.0.0 WCE. And Culcairn’s Jeremy Finlayson onto the ground for the Giants
3rd min: All GWS early. Jonathon Patton kicks Giants’ second after a strong mark in the pocket. GWS 2.0.12 – 0.0.0 WCE
2nd min: Lachlan Tiziani kicks first goal for GWS, after marking inside 50 from a pinpoint Harry Himmelberg pass. GWS 1.0.6 – 0.0.0 WCE
2.00pm: About to get underway at Narrandera. Giants have left out Callan Ward, Jeremy Cameron and Nick Haynes from original squad (as expected). Riverina footballers Matt Kennedy, Matt Flynn, Zac Williams, Jeremy Finlayson, Harry Perryman, Harry Himmelberg confirmed to play.
1.45pm: Spectacular day at Narrandera – ideal weather for footy given it’s the middle of February. Both teams have been on the ground for a warm-up, the Eagles coming out of the indoor netball stadium and GWS in the rooms under the grandstand. Game starts at 2.05pm.
Earlier:
The Eagles stayed in Wagga on Friday. They trained at Robertson Oval – which hosted last year’s pre-season game between Collingwood and North Melbourne – and Eagles coach Adam Simpson spoke with the media.
The GWS Giants flew straight to Narrandera, promptly announcing home town hero Zac Williams had re-signed for three more seasons.
