The Giants are ecstatic after upsetting Port Adelaide at home to advance to a preliminary final. Photo: AFL MEDIA
MELBOURNE 9.17 (71) lost to CARLTON 11.7 (73)
Sam Walsh tallied 34 disposals, eight tackles and two goals in an outstanding display to lead the rampaging Blues into their first preliminary final in 23 years. But it took until the final minute for victory to be secured, with Blake Acres marking and goaling at close range to settle a gripping battle in front of more than 96,000 fans at the MCG. Patrick Cripps (27 touches, nine clearances) and Jacob Weitering (19 disposals, eight marks) were also superb for Carlton, which looked gone at the halfway point of the season but has rallied to win 11 of its last 12 matches. The Blues now face a preliminary final against Brisbane – the club with which coach Michael Voss made his name. Melbourne was left to rue terrible inaccuracy in front of goal as it booted 5.10 in the second half. Its last five shots resulted in behinds. The Demons sprung a surprise by selecting Josh Schache as the substitute ahead of Brodie Grundy but it wasn’t a telling factor in the result. Kysaiah Pickett copped a one-match ban for his heavy bump on Cripps but was almost the Demons’ match-winner in the second half, finishing with two goals and three direct goal assists. Pickett and Max Gawn both hit the post with late shots that could have won Melbourne the game. Instead, the Demons are out in straight sets for the second straight season. The Blues face a nervous wait on Sam Docherty, who dislocated a shoulder but played out the match and assisted Acres’ winning goal.
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PORT ADELAIDE 9.16 (70) lost to GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 13.15 (93)
The Orange Tsunami hit Adelaide at full force as the Giants booked a shock preliminary final berth in Adam Kingsley’s first season at the helm. Former captain Stephen Coniglio starred as the Giants piled on five goals in a 10-minute second-quarter blitz to seize the ascendancy in front of a parochial Power crowd at Adelaide Oval. Jesse Hogan kicked three first-half goals, matched by Port’s Willie Rioli at the other end, as the Giants opened up a 29-point lead by half-time. The Power clawed back within 16 points during the final term but never quite got within touching distance after the main break. They kicked a wasteful 1.9 to the Giants’ 2.0 in the final term and were left to rue inaccuracy in front of goal. Like fellow top-four side Melbourne, Port exits the finals after consecutive losses. GWS got great service out of Tom Green (29 disposals, eight clearances), Callan Ward (24, six) and Lachie Whitfield (33 touches), while Hogan finished with a game-high four goals. Giants captain Toby Greene finished with three goals from 15 touches, but Coniglio was the standout, tallying 30 disposals, eight clearances and two goals. Power guns Zak Butters (25 disposals), Dan Houston (22) and Tavis Boak (21) fought hard in a losing battle. GWS is now within sight of matching the Western Bulldogs’ 2016 feat of claiming a flag from seventh spot, but faces minor premier Collingwood at the MCG in a tough preliminary final match-up.
