Gather Round: GWS Giants v Richmond
Giants Over the Moon With Must Win Victory!
The cheeky Giants Cheer Squad took full advantage of the historic Artemis II moon exploration, successful re-entry and splashdown on Saturday declaring on its banner its preparedness to play on the moon…
WELCOME BACK ARTEMIS
HOW WAS THE MOON?
WITH THE PLACES WE TRAVEL
WE’LL PLAY THERE SOON
Very prophetic indeed. But be careful what you wish for!
Somewhere between the Artemis II splashdown and the post Gather Round review, the AFL will no doubt look skyward and reflect; “You know who really nailed expansion? NASA!” Back in 1969, Neil Armstrong delivered the line that launched a thousand motivational posters: “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” It was poetic, historic, and universally understood.
Which is more than can be said for the AFL’s strategy of expansion in the foreign market of western Sydney. Because in western Sydney, the Giants’ journey has felt less like a giant leap and more like an awkward shuffle in moon boots. Few flock to Engie Stadium. According to Gerard Healy, kids aren’t adopting our indigenous game. It’s a “trainwreck” according to the former Sydney Swan Brownlow Medallist.
The AFL, never one to shy away from bold thinking (or bold PowerPoints), is reportedly exploring its next frontier: Lunar Expansion in 2075.
The pitch is simple. Zero competition from Peter V’Landys NRL’s dominance of western Sydney and a guaranteed “home ground advantage” thanks to zero gravity. It’s also an opportunity to rebrand: The Greater Western Space Giants. There are, of course, minor concerns. Player retention could be tricky. Free agents may hesitate at the “three-day commute.” And junior pathways might struggle unless AFL Auskick clinics can be effectively run inside moon craters.
Still, the AFL remains optimistic. After all, if NASA can put a man on the moon, surely the AFL can get the Orange and Charcoal to show up on the lunar surface for a 4:40pm Sunday fixture against the West Coast Eagles.
But back to earth, Barossa “Stadium” and the plight of the Giants. With Cadman, Daniels, Buckley, and Bedford returning from injury and the inclusion of young developing ruckman Nick Madden this was a must-win game for the “GWS.”
And after their first quarter blitz, in which the Giants slammed on eight goals, with young gun Cadman booting three, it looked like the Giants had found their old chemistry. At times the Orange Tsunami was well and truly back with some brilliant ball movement from defence and prolific ball winning from the likes of Callaghan, Oliver and Stinger in the first half.
Live-wire forward Brent Daniels made an impressive return to the side having played just six games in 2025 booting three clever goals and always looking dangerous.
The Tigers showed glimpses of form particularly in the third quarter reducing the margin form 46 points to 20 points partly due to the injection of ruck debutant and former Wildcat basketballer Ollie Hayes-Brown. Lefau for the Tigers looks a likely prospect and impressed with his four goals. The Tigers need a lift from their experienced midfielders in Taranto, Hopper and Prestia who were sadly missing for most of the day.
Of concern for the Giants were the concussions to Stephen Cognilio and late in the game Aaron Cadman. Both will be in doubt for the all-important Friday night clash against rivals the Sydney Swans at the SCG with Coniglio certain to miss.
In the meantime, if the diverse communities of western Sydney fail to embrace AFL football and the Greater Western Sydney Giants in the next decade or so the AFL could do well to take a visit to NASA headquarters to discuss the bold move to jettison the Giants to the moon by 2075.
SCORES
GWS GIANTS: 8.4 11.7 16.8 20.11(131)
RICHMOND: 2.2 6.4 10.7 11.9 (75)
GOALS
GWS GIANTS: Cadman 4, Daniels 3, Hogan 2, Bedford 2, Hannaford 2, Riccardi 2, Angwin 2, Greene, Gothard, Stringer
RICHMOND: Lefau 4, Fawcett 3, Gray, Lalor, Taranto, Campbell
BEST
GWS GIANTS: Callaghan, Ash, Oliver, Cadman, Stringer, Laverde, Daniels
RICHMOND: Broad, Lalor, Lefau, Taranto
INJURIES
GWS GIANTS: Coniglio (concussion), Cadman (concussion)
RICHMOND: Nil
CROWD: 5000 (about)
Read more Gather Round stories HERE.
Read more from Richard Griffiths HERE.
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