A record-breaking 14-goal third-quarter blitz has powered GWS to an extraordinary 78-point win over two-time defending AFL premiers Brisbane.
The Giants held a six-point lead at halftime, but their tsunami style swamped Brisbane in the third quarter, outscoring the Lions 14.2 to 0.3 on their way to a 26.10 (166) to 13.10 (88) win at Engie Stadium on Sunday.
The onslaught eclipsed the previous record of 13.4 Essendon kicked in the third term against Footscray in 1982, and was the fourth-highest scoring quarter in VFL/AFL history.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
They also registered their biggest ever score, going past the 162 points they posted against Essendon in 2023.
“There’s a term in footy that absolutely applies to the Lions, and it shocks me that I’m going to say it, but they are no better than witches hats at the moment,” Gerard Healy said on Fox Sports during the extraordinary third quarter.
“They have just stood back and let their game fall apart.
“And the pressure and the cleanliness of the Giants has been just great to watch.
“I’ve got no doubt the Lions will respond, but this is unbelievable.”
Cameron Mooney added: “This is an extraordinary quarter of football – from both teams.
“What we’re seeing from the Giants is just magical to watch; what we’re seeing from Brisbane is just horrifying.”
Captain Toby Greene kicked five goals, four of them in the third quarter, and Jake Stringer pitched in with a handful of his own.
Max Gruzewski and Aaron Cadman scored three each.
Brisbane kicked the first four goals of the final quarter, but GWS booted the next three.
Making the Giants’ feat even more remarkable was the fact that their injury woes continued to mount.
They suffered a blow before the match when veteran Lachie Whitfield was ruled out with hamstring awareness and was replaced by Harry Oliver.
The Giants then lost key defender Jack Buckley to a hamstring issue in the first quarter.
Lachie Neale gathered a team-high 32 touches for Brisbane, and Cam Rayner and Kai Lohmann each kicked three goals for the Lions.
More to come …
