1. The Power was on early
At quarter-time of this clash Port trailed the hit-out count 20-10, yet led the clearance count 18-6 against one of the best stoppage sides in the league. It continued a remarkable trend since the Power lost recognised ruck man Matthew Lobbe early in the season. With Jackson Trengove playing a role somewhere between a ruckman and midfielder, Port has developed a remarkable ability to read the ball off the opposition ruckman’s hands. Trengove himself had five of those opening clearances, but as the match wore on the Giants' size and grunt became decisive. Shane Mumford got on top and the Giants cashed in on his dominance.
2. Ebert cashes in on lucky half-time break
By the letter of the law no one could argue with umpire Robert Finlay’s decision to penalise Jeremy Cameron with a 50m penalty on half-time. But in the spirit of a low scoring struggle the decision was harsh and overly technical. Brad Ebert marked the ball on the wing with seconds to go in the term and kicked long into the forward line as the siren sounded. Cameron encroached the mark by a foot or so, but appeared to be given no warning to come back by the umpire. Ebert’s kick landed harmlessly 40m from goal, but he was then given a second kick from 35m out and nailed the chance to give Port a handy 20-point edge in the conditions.
3. Leg speed, Mummy, midfield turn it for the Giants
The Giants midfield had its colours lowered for a half, but showed it will be hard to shut down for four quarters. Shane Mumford wore Jackson Trengove down with his size in the ruck and the midfielders around him began to read his clearance work and gain territory. Tom Scully, Stephen Cognilio, Dylan Shiel and company ran riot as the Giants turned this match on its head in the third term. The other decisive factor in the contest after half-time was leg speed. The Giants altered their game plan and started banging the ball into space if there was no obvious option up the field. That led to plenty of foot races. The Giants won most of them and ran through Port’s press. Mumford finished the match with ice on his knee and Giants fans will hope it is only a precaution.
4. Shaw does it again
It will pain Collingwood, but Heath Shaw continues to be one of the best recruits for any club in recent seasons. He was almost worth two players against Port, keeping the dangerous Chad Wingard in check but playing more than a lock-down role. Shaw also finished the match with 29 disposals and marshalled an impressive defensive performance for the Giants. GWS kept Port to two goals in the second half and its half-back line drove many attacks in the Giants' first ever win in Adelaide. At the other end Jeremy Cameron found a way to impact the game late, despite being reasonably well held for much of the match. He kicked a goal in the final term and set up another one for Devon Smith, who iced the win with a brilliant snap.
5. A Giant win in a short history
They’ve smashed Hawthorn and Sydney this season but GWS’ win over ninth-placed Port might be the best the club has had in season 2016. In slippery conditions not conducive to their fast link-up football, the Giants were forced to find another way to win. They were also 20 points down at half-time in a low scoring slog on enemy soil. Their ability to adapt the game plan and play more direct football demonstrated more than any match this season that they have the steel and smarts to be a factor in September, regardless of what gets thrown at them. Their grunt and speed around stoppages will be a handful for any opponent and their brand of football seemingly stands up in any conditions.
