Resilience in the Face of Adversity: GWS Shows Heart Despite Loss
The Greater Western Sydney Giants (GWS) may have suffered a 37-point loss to Hawthorn, but coach Cam Bernasconi couldn’t be prouder of his team’s performance. The week leading up to the match was marred by controversy surrounding the men’s post-season function, which involved sexist skits and inappropriate costumes.
A Tough Week for the Giants
The fallout from the incident overshadowed the team’s preparation for their week-eight fixture, with six players banned after a joint investigation with the AFL. Despite this, the Giants showed remarkable resilience on the field. “It was a really, really difficult week,” Bernasconi said after the match. “The whole AFLW program was really disappointed with the actions of what went on, and that does filter into the footy club.”
On-Field Efforts
The Giants’ on-field efforts were led by midfielder Alyce Parker, who finished with 27 disposals, six clearances, and 13 contested possessions. Swingwoman Tarni Evans lit up the game with the first two goals in the opening three minutes, before the Hawks made up ground to be just two points behind at the first change.
Hawthorn’s Rise to the Top
Meanwhile, Hawthorn is closing in on a top-two finish after having all but secured a top-four berth. First-year coach Daniel Webster’s Hawks have undergone a remarkable transformation, having not won more than three games a season until this season. Emily Bates led the way for Hawthorn, while Aileen Gilroy did the heavy lifting in attack in the absence of the injured Greta Bodey.
Injury Woes for the Giants
A torso injury to Georgia Garnett, sustained in the third quarter, only compounds the Giants’ woes. Despite this, Bernasconi remains proud of his team’s performance. “You see a lot of emotional fatigue probably late in the game, but I was so proud that they came out and played a strong brand of footy.”
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