Old stagers Stephen Coniglio and Jeremy Cameron and young Tim Taranto have shone for GWS who have trumped local rivals Sydney by 22 points in an AFL pre-season game.
The Giants led by 36 points early in Saturday night’s second quarter after kicking the first six goals and never trailed, going on to win 12.9 (81) to 8.11 (59) at Blacktown in western Sydney.
Midfielder Coniglio goaled after just 22 seconds and finished with a game-high 34 touches and nine tackles in a typical all-action performance.
Forward Cameron was busy all round the ground, notching 23 touches and 10 marks in a very lively effort.
Taranto was a bull in the midfield, logging 33 touches, 10 marks and seven tackles.
The Swans showed some resolve after the Giants’ early onslaught, kicking six goals to one to slash the deficit to just three points in the third quarter.
GWS kicked the last three of the third term to end the quarter with a 25-point buffer.
Josh Kennedy and Nick Blakey booted majors to get Sydney within 10 points but goals to young midfielder Jackson Hately and co-captain Phil Davis pushed GWS clear.
Daniel Lloyd led the Giants’ goalkickers with three and young midfielder Jye Caldwell booted two.
Isaac Heeney was outstanding for Sydney, racking up 24 possessions and was the only Swan to kick two goals.
Irish defender Colin O’Riordan and former North Melbourne midfielder Ryan Clarke were other good contributors for Sydney.
Swans forward Sam Reid, who was playing his first senior game since round three last year, was instrumental in the Swans’ fightback, after not registering his first stat until 17 minutes into the second quarter.
He marked and kicked to Heeney, who took a clean grab and kicked a goal from the set shot.
Reid logged a behind soon after and managed to get his hands to the ensuing kick-in to set up a goal to George Hewett.