In the 2024 AFL finals, GWS Giants have secured the lead at quarter-time despite a hard hit to a key player.

 The Western Bulldogs have clinched their spot in the finals with a decisive 37-point victory over the GWS Giants in windy Ballarat. However, the win was marred by an incident involving crucial defender Liam Jones, who will face scrutiny from the Match Review Officer (MRO) for a driving tackle on GWS forward Aaron Cadman in the first quarter.

Despite this concern, the Bulldogs' performance was impressive, particularly in the second quarter where they capitalized on a strong breeze to score six goals to the Giants' two, establishing a lead they maintained throughout the game. The Giants, already impacted by the late absences of key players like Toby Bedford (calf) and Brent Daniels (back), struggled to make an impact when they had their turn with the wind.

In a crucial AFL clash, the Western Bulldogs secured their finals spot with a convincing 37-point win over the GWS Giants in windy Ballarat. Despite a strong showing, the Bulldogs face potential complications as defender Liam Jones is set to be scrutinized by the Match Review Officer (MRO) for a controversial tackle on GWS forward Aaron Cadman.

Jones’s tackle, which occurred in the first quarter, was deemed dangerous and resulted in a free kick for Cadman. This incident could jeopardize Jones’s participation in the upcoming finals, as it risks a suspension that may keep him out of what would be his first AFL final. The tackle has drawn parallels to a similar incident involving Lachie Ash, potentially influencing the MRO's decision.

The Bulldogs dominated the second quarter with a six-goal surge, taking advantage of the strong breeze. Key contributions came from Ed Richards, who scored two goals, and from Jack Macrae and Caleb Daniel, who were instrumental in maintaining the lead. Despite a late effort from the Giants, who struggled with three late withdrawals including Toby Bedford (calf) and Brent Daniels (back), the Bulldogs controlled the game effectively.

The win assures the Bulldogs a spot in the elimination final against Hawthorn, while the Giants, now facing potential elimination, might play against Sydney at the SCG. The Giants’ performance was further hampered by late changes, with Brent Daniels, Toby Bedford, and Conor Stone all missing from the lineup, replaced by Nick Haynes, Xavier O’Halloran, and Callum Brown.

Key takeaways from the game include:

• The Bulldogs’ effective use of the wind in the second quarter.
• Ed Richards’s standout performance with two goals.
• The impact of the late withdrawals on GWS’s performance.
• The potential ramifications for Liam Jones following his tackle on Aaron Cadman.

The Bulldogs’ next challenge will be an elimination final against Hawthorn, while the Giants will need to address their injuries and look to rebound in the finals.