After 27 failed attempts, the Giants have done it. Not only did they crack their road duck at the 28th try, but they rose from the bottom of the table to leapfrog both the Lions and St Kilda into 16th place. On a historic night for the expansion club, the 45-point win and 125 points in total were also records. It was the Giants' sixth win in their history and the third of 2014 – making it the most successful season of their brief existence. They put narrow losses against Hawthorn and Essendon behind them in emphatic fashion. On those occasions they got within one-point in the final quarter before fading, but against the Lions, there would be no such mistakes.
2. Another big blow for Browny – but not too bad
Poor old Jonathan Brown can't take a trick. After kicking two goals in the first half, the Lions champion copped another facial knock early in the third quarter. Falling backwards to take a mark, the 32-year-old was accidentally collected by the hip of Giant Tom Bugg. He was groggily helped from the field and subbed by Zac O'Brien minutes later. It's the fourth time since 2011 Brown has been carted from a field clutching his face, but thankfully this time it was 'only' concussion. In the space of 12 months he was on the wrong end of sickening accidents involving Freo's Luke McPharlin and teammates Mitch Clark and Matt Maguire. It wasn't so serious this time around.
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3. Big Mummy Leads a Midfield Rampage
Giants ruckman Shane Mumford was a colossus. After missing five matches with a knee injury, the former Swan has gradually built his form over the past month. Against mobile Stefan Martin – who was fresh from having the better of All Australian Will Minson – Mumford spoon-fed his midfield with a super display. He had 13 disposals, 36 hit-outs and five tackles to again prove he is the barometer for GWS's success. With their talisman leading the way, the Giants ran riot at the stoppages, hammering the Lions 52-30. Callan Ward had a match-high 10 clearances, Dylan Shiel had seven, Rhys Palmer six and Adam Treloar five.
4. Cameron Bounces Back To His Best
What looked like being a dirty night for All Australian Jeremy Cameron late in the second quarter, turned into a gem for the prodigiously talented forward. Kept quiet by Lions youngster Justin Clarke for much of the first two terms, Cameron eventually kicked four goals and could have had even more. His coach Leon Cameron said he knew the 21-year-old was in for something special after missing last week through suspension. "We sensed Jeremy was back during the week, his training was really really good," Cameron said. "His last two weeks we feel his body is starting to get back into some good shape. He's really looking forward to the second half of the season." Along with forward partner Jonathon Patton (three goals), the duo started looking like delivering on all the talent they have.
5. Mozzie Squad the only Lions' buzz
On a disappointing night for the home team, the 'Mozzie Squad' still provided some spark. Lewy Taylor was arguably the Lions' best with his 19 disposals and three goals, while diminutive teammate Dayne Zorko added three and Josh Green one. They were able to link up through the midfield and once Brown went down, looked the only genuine options of scoring goals.
3. Big Mummy Leads a Midfield Rampage
Giants ruckman Shane Mumford was a colossus. After missing five matches with a knee injury, the former Swan has gradually built his form over the past month. Against mobile Stefan Martin – who was fresh from having the better of All Australian Will Minson – Mumford spoon-fed his midfield with a super display. He had 13 disposals, 36 hit-outs and five tackles to again prove he is the barometer for GWS's success. With their talisman leading the way, the Giants ran riot at the stoppages, hammering the Lions 52-30. Callan Ward had a match-high 10 clearances, Dylan Shiel had seven, Rhys Palmer six and Adam Treloar five.
4. Cameron Bounces Back To His Best
What looked like being a dirty night for All Australian Jeremy Cameron late in the second quarter, turned into a gem for the prodigiously talented forward. Kept quiet by Lions youngster Justin Clarke for much of the first two terms, Cameron eventually kicked four goals and could have had even more. His coach Leon Cameron said he knew the 21-year-old was in for something special after missing last week through suspension. "We sensed Jeremy was back during the week, his training was really really good," Cameron said. "His last two weeks we feel his body is starting to get back into some good shape. He's really looking forward to the second half of the season." Along with forward partner Jonathon Patton (three goals), the duo started looking like delivering on all the talent they have.
5. Mozzie Squad the only Lions' buzz
On a disappointing night for the home team, the 'Mozzie Squad' still provided some spark. Lewy Taylor was arguably the Lions' best with his 19 disposals and three goals, while diminutive teammate Dayne Zorko added three and Josh Green one. They were able to link up through the midfield and once Brown went down, looked the only genuine options of scoring goals.
Dylan Shiel and Tom Scully played influential roles for the Giants on Saturday night. Picture: AFL Media
