AFL 2023: GWS Giants roast Essendon’s finals drought with savage banner before thrashing

Saturday’s contest between the Giants and Bombers, who started the match in 10th and ninth spot on the ladder respectively, was billed as a virtual elimination final.

Hogan’s career-best nine goals helped the ruthless hosts make a mockery of that build-up – and indeed the visitors – in a mismatch of epic proportions at Giants Stadium.

Watch every match of every round of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. Join now and start streaming instantly >

It was the biggest win of the Giants’ existence, eclipsing their 108-point triumph over Gold Coast in 2018, and their biggest score ever, bettering a tally of 24.16 (160) against the Suns in 2017.

But it wasn’t the only way the Giants crushed the Bombers with one of the all-time savage banners before the game.

It read: “It’s been a long time

“The Bombers have waited

“Last time they won a final

“We weren’t even created”.

While a win would have lifted the Bombers into finals contention, the side has not won a finals match since 2004.

There’s even a Twitter account which tallies the days — it’s 6892 by the way.

But the loss to the Giants leaves the Bombers almost out of contention, needing both results to go their way and an utter annihilation of the top of the table Magpies as their percentage is so poor.

So that’s why the banner hits so close to home.

Essendon, who have won plenty of admirers during Brad Scott’s first season in charge, were outclassed, outworked and outhustled. The besieged Bombers looked ready for the season to end. And now it will be pride, rather than the carrot of finals footy, on the line when they face Collingwood next week.

In sharp contrast, GWS enters their final-round clash with Carlton full of confidence after breaking back into the top eight with a mix of scintillating football and potent pressure. The Giants’ percentage, which had been a weak suit in the congested race to September, received an almighty boost.

GWS helped themselves to 11 of the game’s first 12 goals, eventually running out 25.12 (162) to 5.6 (36) winners. The halftime lead was 70 points; only once before had the Giants enjoyed such a comfortable cushion at the major break.

HEROIC HOGAN

Hulkamania ran wild from the moment Hogan kicked his first goal after outmuscling Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, setting the tone with the first of 17 marks. Hogan’s previous best haul for the Giants was four goals, while he bettered a seven-goal outing against St Kilda in 2016. The power forward, only denied a 10th goal by a desperate Zerk-Thatcher tackle, will be a handful for any defender if he continues this form. The return of Brent Daniels and Toby Bedford was also telling in a forward line that feasted, while ball magnet Tom Green was magnificent.

STRINGER A SURPRISE SUB

Jake Stringer’s fitness had been a point of intrigue throughout recent weeks as he pressed to return from a foot injury. The potent forward was named in the Bombers’ 22, but ultimately relegated to substitute duty after a month on the sidelines. Stringer entered the fray in the second term after Matt Guelfi suffered a leg injury, but couldn’t conjure a miracle. The Giants subbed Toby Greene off in the third term, with the early indication being it was to give him a rest rather than because of a niggle.

A BIGGER SOUND FROM THE WEST OF TOWN

GWS home crowds were severely curtailed after the Covid pandemic struck. The club averaged just 6,272 spectators at Giants Stadium in 2021 then 6,103 in 2022. Saturday’s figure of 10,281 lifted this year’s average to 10,293.