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GREATER Western Sydney has firmly established itself as the big sister of the AFLW Sydney derby, piling on the goals to defeat Sydney by 47 points at the SCG.
In the first AFLW battle between the New South Wales teams, the seventh-season Giants spread the first-season Swans too thin in the 9.11 (65) to 2.6 (18) victory, recording their highest score in the process (previously 56 against Richmond in 2020).
SWANS v GIANTS Full match coverage and stats
The Giants' revamped gameplan under new coach Cam Bernasconi finally clicked into gear, burning Sydney on the outside and running hard for each other to create an overlap in attack, while also finding some patience for the occasional slow play.
Fittingly, it was the inaugural AFLW No.1 pick Nicola Barr – a childhood Swan now a Giant, through and through – who slotted the opening major after both sides had peppered the goals to no avail.
Giants defender-turned-forward Georgia Garnett's stunning set shot from a tight angle took the margin to 25 at half-time, which followed Lexi Hamilton breaking through for the Swans' first.
The rain briefly came in the third term, but it didn't put off former Young Matilda Zarlie Goldsworthy, the bullocking Giants debutant slotting a classy goal on the run and kicking two for the game.
Sydney lifted its intensity in the third term, shutting down some of the easy outside run, but was unable to lock the ball in its attacking half, starving its forwards of opportunities.
Cynthia Hamilton (12 disposals, five clearances) and Lauren Szigeti (11 and five) battled hard in the midfield, with the former's day ending five minutes before the final siren after her head accidentally collided with Alicia Eva's knee.
Ally Morphett (18 hitouts, 13 disposals, five clearances) and Kate Reynolds were dominant in the ruck against Cambridge McCormick, but Alyce Parker (22 touches) and Emily Pease (16) helped the Giants balance out the clearance count with five apiece.
A battle to watch
The usually unflappable Cora Staunton was locked in a niggling battle with Alana Woodward, who was known for the strong defensive side to her midfield game at former clubs Richmond and St Kilda. Deployed in a key back role, it could be argued Woodward had a few wins over Staunton, who booted two strong goals but wasn't shy in verbally making her feelings known to the Swan at the close-checking attention.
Giant replacements stand up
The Giants' injury headaches have entered yet another season, losing three key players to long-term issues last weekend. In the absence of Tait Mackrill (foot) and Chloe Dalton (hamstring), Ally Dallaway and Emily Pease spent more minutes in the middle, with debutant Meghan Gaffney rotating on the wing alongside Alicia Eva and Maddy Brazendale. Annalyse Lister – who played on the wing against Brisbane last week – slotted into a more traditional defensive role to cover for Pepa Randall (ACL).
Up next
Sydney will be hoping for its first win, facing fellow expansion club Port Adelaide at Alberton Oval, while GWS will be aiming for two on the trot, hosting West Coast at Giants Stadium.
SYDNEY 0.2 1.4 2.5 2.6 (18)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 3.4 5.5 8.6 9.11 (65)
GOALS
Sydney: A.Hamilton, Lochland
Greater Western Sydney: Barr 2, Staunton 2, Goldsworthy 2, Pease, Garnett, Doyle
BEST
Sydney: Morphett, C.Hamilton, Szigeti, Eastman, Privitelli
Greater Western Sydney: Parker, Brazendale, Pease, Eva, Garnett, Goldsworthy
INJURIES
Sydney: C.Hamilton (head knock)
Greater Western Sydney: Nil
Reports: Nil
Crowd: 4,233 at the SCG
