GWS beats North Melbourne as star rookie lands in swinging arm drama

To emphasize how far off the pace they are, North was just two spots below GWS on the ladder going to the game.

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The result of 15.12 (102) to 7.11 (53) was sealed early after the Giants, inspired by co-captain Stephen Coniglio, kicked the first seven goals, and they have now lifted themselves out of the bottom four, pushing Adelaide to 15th. place was sent. place.

North has lost their last 11 games by an average of 60 points and 10 of their 12 losses have been 47 points or more.

In addition to their woes, the Kangaroos’ No. 1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis could be suspended after collecting Josh Kelly on the wing in the third quarter with a late swinging arm to the jaw.

AFL legend and Fox Footy commentator Gerard Healy said: “If Kelly grabs his chin, I think he (Horne-Francis) has a meeting with the MRO of some description.”

SEN AFL NationMichael Barlow and Sam Hargreaves said Horne-Francis could expect some time on the sidelines.

“He (Kelly) was felled when he got off it,” Barlow said.

“They all came for Horne-Francis, he was frustrated.

“This is going to be a watch. Jason Horne-Francis picked it up late.”

“Oh, that’s a round arm, that’s weeks,” Hargreaves added.

“They have to go out and sort him out. He was unraveling at halftime. He was clearly in distress and comforted.”

Akash Fotedar of ABC tweeted: “Interesting to see so many people have a crack at Jason Horne-Francis. Think the responsibility lies with North Melbourne to make sure he’s in a good place and happy at the club. Sure, he’s acting weird and that doesn’t look good, but they can’t afford to lose him.

“Can’t think of anything worse than having your esteemed number one pick walking out the door after one season. How do you sell hope to fans, members and potential players when the future doesn’t want to be there.”

Nat Yoannidis of Seven News wrote: “If I had behaved like JHF did today playing junior tennis I would have caught a huge spray of Mumma Yoannidis. The youth of today”

Horne-Francis has suspended negotiations until the end of the season after a terrible start to the year for the Kangaroos.

He also had words with veteran Todd Goldstein at the end of the first half.

And North defender Lachie Young might also have to come under scrutiny in the third term for a headhigh hit on Matt De Boer, which left the GWS veteran briefly dazed.

However, the win came at a price for GWS, with Harry Perryman being eliminated in the second quarter with injured ribs and possibly lungs, after a serious collision with Flynn Perez, and taken to hospital by ambulance to have the damage assessed.

Kangaroos coach David Noble made a passionate appeal to fans to attend Sunday’s game, but his plea was not easy, with only 13,742 people jumping, although it was a better crowd than their entire Melbourne game against the Demons. few weeks ago (13,422).

The few fans who did attend would be forgiven for thinking GWS was actually a top four outfit.

North made them look like world beaters in the first half. Everything was far too easy for the Giants, who dominated proceedings under virtually no pressure as they played with the Kangaroos.

And while North limited the bleeding in the second half, the damage was well done. Finally, GWS made it north in dives (422-292) and marks (149-69), but despite their dominance of the ball, they also put down more tackles (53-47) in what was the ultimate charge against the Kangaroos. listless performance.

Coniglio has seemingly continued to thrive since the departure of former coach Leon Cameron, putting in a best performance on the ground, racking up 34 disposals (14 contested), five clearances, two assists, 11 goals and three goals. He now has an average of 32 disposals in his last three games.

Harry Himmelberg’s move backward continues to pay off, the former forward hit a career high 37 touches, to go along with 16 points, 11 interceptions and a goal, while Tanner Bruhn, Tom Green and Lachie Whitfield also made an impact .

The Giants ambushed the Kangaroos at the start with 10 within 50’s in the first 10 minutes as they sliced ​​open north with superior use of the ball.

The hosts’ beleaguered rear guard couldn’t handle the attack and got few favors from the minimal pressure from their teammates further afield as GWS helped themselves to 52 more first-term divestments, yet posted seven more tackles than the Kangas.

GWS also recorded 27 points (26 undisputed) as they held North goalless in the first quarter for the first time in 12 encounters.

North had to wait until the nine minutes of the second term for their first major.

In a terrible sign, 11 Kangaroos finished the game with 11 disposals or less, including Jaidyn Stephenson (five), Jack Ziebell (five), Hugh Greenwood (eight), Horne-Francis (eight) and Kayne Turner (eight).

It was also North’s lowest score against GWS in 12 meetings, as well as their lowest quarter, half and three-quarter scores.