GWS downs Brisbane Lions in impressive display on the road
ANOTHER sickening head knock to Jonathan Brown ensured a Bugg made a bigger impact than the Brisbane Lions’ "Mozzie squad" as Greater Western Sydney grabbed a historic 45-point win on Saturday night at the Gabba.
The Giants claimed their first away win on their 28th attempt, sixth victory overall in 56 starts, and their maiden triumph over the Lions.
But wait, there’s more - the 19.11 (125) to 12.8 (80) scoreline was also their biggest winning margin, eclipsing the 37-point victory over Melbourne in round 19 last year.
And it was their most points in a game, nudging the 124-point total in the same match against the Demons.
The Lions' pride might have been damaged but, arguably, veteran forward Brown was hurting the most after suffering his third head injury in 12 months when he ran into Tomas Bugg early in the third term.
Alarm bells were ringing when he was escorted off the ground and quickly substituted, but he was later diagnosed with a heavy concussion.
Greater Western Sydney kicked the next two goals - and five straight in total - and did not look back as it largely silenced the 12,700 Gabba crowd.
The Giants stood tall despite the threat of the local Mozzie squad - small forwards Josh Green, Lewis Taylor and Dayne Zorko.
The trio had been the catalyst for the Lions’ mini-revival of two straight wins.
Taylor, Zorko (both three goals) and Green (one major) were again impressive, but nothing could stop the Giants nabbing a win that will go a long way towards them avoiding another wooden spoon.
The Lions lost key man Daniel Merrett (throat infection) before the match.
The Giants only led by one point at the first break - 4.3 (27) to 4.2 (26) - and by the same margin at half-time, 9.4 (58) to 9.3 (57).
Then Brown went down, leaving a gap in size, experience and leadership that was heightened by the pre-match withdrawal of Daniel Merrett.
The Giants jumped to a 21-point buffer at the final break and were never headed.