Greater Western Sydney Giants debutante Pippa Smyth had some important touches in the dying stages of Sunday’s AFLW draw with reigning champions the Adelaide Crows.
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The Nelson Bay product was used off the bench in the 2.7 (19) result at Blacktown and was able to win multiple contests in wet conditions, featuring a ball-up in Giants’ territory with a minute-and-a-half to go.
The 22-year-old personal trainer, who played in the Black Diamond AFL women’s competition last year before being picked in the draft in October, was well supported in the crowd with signs and a cheer squad.
“Every time debutant Pippa Smyth gets near the footy her cheer squad goes off!” the Giants posted on social media during the match.
Smyth had five hitouts, third highest for the game, and three disposals, one kick and two handballs.
The Giants, away to Fremantle on Saturday, led for much of the fourth-round encounter. Scores were locked at 7-all after the first quarter but the hosts went ahead 2.3 (16) to 1.2 (8) at half-time and extended that advantage 2.6 (18) to 1.3 (9) by the third break. Adelaide then got in front by one with five minutes remaining before a GWS behind levelled proceedings.
The Giants are away to Fremantle on Saturday, home to Western Bulldogs on March 10 and then finish the regular season by hosting Brisbane on March 16.
Elsewhere in AFLW encounters and Collingwood clocked up their first win of 2018 on Saturday by beating premiership favourites Melbourne 9.4 (58) to 3.6 (24) in Alice Springs.
Brisbane rejoined the competition lead after prevailing by seven points over Fremantle at home on Saturday, the Lions 3.4 (22) outscoring the Dockers 2.3 (15) at Queensland’s South Pine Sports Complex.
While on Friday night frontrunners the Western Bulldogs demolished Carlton by 73 points at Victoria’s Whitten Oval. The tri-colours went 12.14 (86) to the Blues’ 2.1 (13).
