GREATER Western Sydney coach Leon Cameron says his young side needs to be more composed with the footy if the club is to overcome AFL powerhouses such as the Sydney Swans.
The Giants proved themselves worthy combatants in the battle of two undefeated teams at the SCG, matching their more highly-credentialed opponents for most of Saturday afternoon's contest. However, they paid the ultimate price for some inaccurate kicking at goal and turnovers under pressure, particularly in the first half and late in the third term, to fall 21 points short in front of 31,966 fans.
"Their effort was good, it was just that polish at the end where you are kicking at goal or making a decision inside 50," Cameron said after the match. "Over the 120 minutes, if you count mistake for mistake, clearly in the first half we made way too many.
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"I think if you make one little mistake, whether it is a shot on goal or a missed handball or a turnover, they punish you, and they clearly punished us when we did make those mistakes."
The Giants and Swans both had 16 scoring shots in the first half. However, the Swans went into the dressing rooms with a 35-point edge after booting 10.6, while GWS could manage only 3.13.
And although the margin narrowed to 14 points midway through the third term, the red and white hosts managed to pull away late in the quarter.
The loss drops GWS to a 2-1 win-loss record ahead of next week's Anzac Day clash against Gold Coast in Canberra.
Cameron said better composure was something that would come with time - as the squad got more games under their belt - as well as from hard work on the training track.
"I think we are closing the gap in terms of our good effort and our poor efforts from last year," Cameron said. "The more games that they play the more connection they build up between midfield, forward and back is going to improve."
WATCH: Click here to see Leon Cameron's full press conference
In a sour note, ruckman Shane Mumford was reported for rough conduct following a second quarter clash with Jeremy Laidler.
Cameron said he had not seen the incident involving Mumford - who switched to the Giants in 2014 following four years at the Swans - when he was asked about the matter in the post-match media conference.
"Look, Mummy plays the game hard, he plays the game tough," Cameron said. "There is no doubt he is never ever going to back down, but until I actually have a look at it, it is hard to comment."
The coach said Dylan Shiel and Ryan Griffen, who received heavy knocks in the game and had to come off for attention from the medical staff at times, would be OK to face the Suns in round 4.
"They are fine," Cameron said. "Those guys should be fine for next week."
