{"id":63033,"date":"2026-08-01T22:04:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-01T22:04:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/63033\/"},"modified":"2026-08-01T22:04:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T22:04:11","slug":"r21-gws-v-port-adelaide-the-monagle-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/63033\/","title":{"rendered":"R21 – GWS v Port Adelaide – The Monagle Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

Round 21 \u2013 Port Adelaide v Greater Western Sydney<\/p>\n

Disco Monagle<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

An Adelaide Oval Temu Game<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Power versus the Giants, a game devoid of so many elite players was always going to be a Temu clash, and I say this with no disrespect to either team, as both teams are limping to the finishing line in 2026.<\/p>\n

With no Butters, no Rozee, no Powell-Pepper, no Ratugolea, no Farrell, no Lukosius, no Green or Greene, no Hogan, no Buckley, no Riccardi, no Callaghan, no Aleer, as well as a few others, this game was always destined to be a battle of the battlers, and that is how it played out.<\/p>\n

While the Power were only playing for pride, the Giants were playing for a chance to be stay in the hunt for the Wildcard Weekend.<\/p>\n

How did it play out?<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

A Game That Truly Lived Up to Temu Expectations<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Port Adelaide 9:09:63 was defeated by GWS 11:09:75<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Giants won this game with a power surge late in the second quarter extending out to halfway through the third quarter slamming on six goals straight. On the other hand, the Power lost this game in the last quarter kicking only one goal and four behinds from seventeen inside 50\u2019s, while keeping their opponent goalless.<\/p>\n

This game was gutted with so much elite talent missing from both teams, and try as hard as both teams did, it was always going to be the team who made the best of the footy when they had momentum who would win.<\/p>\n

At the end of the day, it was the class players of the Giants who got them over the line, in particular Jake Stringer and Stephen Cognilio who led the way with four goals between them when the Giants had all the momentum.<\/p>\n

Up the other end it was Mitch Georgiadis had another almost game, especially in the last quarter when he attacked everything, but he failed to deliver on the scoreboard. Sometimes heroes need to do heroic things and try as he did with the assists of Jason Horne-Francis, Darcy Byrne-Jones, Miles Bergman and Ollie Wines in the last quarter, the Power just couldn\u2019t get the job done.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jake Stringer \u2013 Best on Ground<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Once every season or two, Jake Stringer reminds the football world, he is the complete package, and in a game lacking real star power it was Jake who proved to be the star difference.<\/p>\n

In a Cyril-esque performance, Stringer had only fourteen possessions, yet he seemed to be everywhere.<\/p>\n

Jake spent up a lot the game up the field, and it was his ability to impose himself on the game with a hand in there, a block or four creating separation for his teammates, etc which made him so dangerous.<\/p>\n

One percenters matter.<\/p>\n

While Stringer working back into defence was vital in a dour struggle, it was his class in the forward half that made the difference, including him slotting three goals.<\/p>\n

In a match that had very few highlights, Jake\u2019s snap at goal from 50 metres out late in the second quarter was special. Instead of turning around and straightening up, with true Jake-like nonchalance style, Jake struck a banana kick that was never going to miss.<\/p>\n

As good as Jake was in this game, he would be kicking himself for leaving a few a goals out on the paddock.<\/p>\n

Jake\u2019s partner in crime up forward was Stephen Coniglio.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Evergreen Cognilio<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

By the end of Stephen Cognilio\u2019s illustrious career it will have asterisk next to it given the number of games he has missed through injury.<\/p>\n

Over the last few weeks, the best of Cognilio has been on display, and when his team needed a lift in the second quarter in\u00a0this game, it was Cognilio leading the way.<\/p>\n

Cognilio kicked three quality goals when the Giants had momentum, in a sublime 30 minutes of football which inspired and lifted his young teammates.<\/p>\n

Cognilio has reinvented himself this year by adding goal kicking to his repertoire. Perhaps not reinvented \u2013 but refound this aspect of his game, while still being extremely dangerous around the ground.<\/p>\n

Seven score involvements from his 20-possessions were testament\u00a0to his dominance in this game, especially when the game needed to be won.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Port\u2019s Last Quarter from Hell<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Midway through the last quarter, Mitch Georgiades kicked the only goal of the last quarter, even though the Power were totally dominating with seventeen inside 50\u2019s.<\/p>\n

While mention should made of Lachie Whitfield\u2019s last quarter, and stoic heroics in cohorts with Sam Taylor, Lachie Ash, Clayton Oliver, Toby Bedford, Callum Brown and many others blocking the Power\u2019s supply on the last line of defence, it still doesn\u2019t explain the Power\u2019s inability to finish the job.<\/p>\n

Jason Horne-Francis had the ball on a string, and it looked like he was going to be the class leader the young Power were crying out for, but at times his disposal let him down.<\/p>\n

Boy oh boy did the Power miss Rozee and\/or Butters in the last ten minutes.<\/p>\n

JHF, along with Miles Bergman, Ollie Wines, Lachie Jones, and Darcy Byrne-Jones, never gave up the fight in the last stanza, and it was good to see youngsters Joe Berry, Will Lorenz, Xavier Bamert and Mitch Zadow all following their lead and play the game right out to the final siren.<\/p>\n

(I just looked at the telly and noticed the Blues have belted Brisbane by 76-points. I adjusted my eyes, put my glasses on, and unbelievably what I was seeing was correct. That result throws a huge spanner in the mix.)<\/p>\n

Bergman, Wines, Byrne-Jones and JHF never gave up the chase, and it was just a pity one of them couldn\u2019t provide the spark their young team needed.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Ruck Battle and a Dali Man-Bun<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Nicholas Madden, a player I haven\u2019t reviewed before in an orange jersey, has the look of Salvador Dali with his dirty Sanchez moustache, and a man-bun to match Brodie Grundy, and he can play the game.<\/p>\n

Looks are one thing, but the kid can play. <\/p>\n

He\u2019s had some tough opponents in recent weeks, but the experience has served him well it seems.<\/p>\n

Madden teamed up Kieran Briggs against the Power\u2019s dynamic duo of Jordon Sweet and Dante Visentini, and while the Power dominated the hit outs, Madden and Briggs were more dangerous the ground.<\/p>\n

At the start of this game, I marked Jordon Sweet down as a player who could be the difference in this contest, and while he was okayish, he never took control of the game in a manner like a Gawn or Grundy. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Sweet is getting to the point of his career where he should be dominating games. I have reviewed a few Power games over the\u00a0last few years and at times I have lauded Sweet\u2019s game, while in other games he has been okayish, like he was in this game.<\/p>\n

Big Jordon has the potential to challenge Gawn, Grundy or Xerri, and if he can add consistency to his repertoire, he would\u00a0then be on his way to recognition as a topflight ruck man. <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Giants Young\u2019uns<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Necessity is the mother of invention, and both teams had to alter their natural game plans in this match in the absence of so much top end talent.<\/p>\n

While no young player on either side will be nominated for the Rising Star this round, the young\u2019uns from both team all put their head over the ball and tried their hardest to impress.<\/p>\n

The best of the Giants newbies who ran out on the field of battle was Josaia Delana, who in true small man style was in and under the packs, and he ended the game with six contested possessions in a promising performance.<\/p>\n

Max Gruzewski (the Gronk) will be a beauty when he grows into his body and takes a game apart. In another \u2018almost\u2019 game, big Max had his chances, but he never stopped presenting and doing one-percenters.<\/p>\n

Harry Rowston is starting to cement his place in this Giants team after a slow couple of years, and he is tracking nicely to be a gun player in the next couple of seasons.<\/p>\n

Riley Hamilton and Jack Ough both need more game time, but the potential is there for the Giants to persist with them as a part of GWS\u2019 next generation of talent. <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Powers Young\u2019uns<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

To imitate Ian \u2018Molly\u2019 Meldrum for a moment; do yourself a favour and check out Mitch Zadow.<\/p>\n

Zadow is a tough nut, and a real tough nut, much in the same mould as Dayne Zorko, and while it would be an injustice to compare Zadow to the Lions legend, Zadow does have a nice future based on his output and effort this year.<\/p>\n

Will Lorenz was the Powers best young\u2019un against the Giants, and while it has taken time for him to find his feet at Alberton, he is now delivering on a consistent basis this year when he has been afforded the opportunity. In possibly his best game for the Teal, Lorenz gathered 23-possessions playing predominately on the wing. <\/p>\n

Xavier Bamert was impressive, playing wide between the two 50s, and he kicked a nice goal over his head which will be added to his highlights reel.<\/p>\n

Josh Lai attacks the game like a 100-game player, with good footy smarts. Lai has displayed enough this season to suggest he might a Power star of the future.<\/p>\n

Harrison Ramm and Christian Moraes will both be better for the run.<\/p>\n

Jack Watkins has had a bumpy ride getting a game at the highest level, and it is credit to his perseverance and persistence that he is finally making his mark at the level, and hopefully he finally gets his chance to display his wares at the level in years to come. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lachie Whitfield <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

When the All-Australian selectors sit down and select the class of 2026, it would be a travesty of justice if Lachie Whitfield was not in the selected team.<\/p>\n

While Stringer and Cognilio will be rightly be praised for their touch of magic in this match, the performances of Whitfield, Lachie Ash, and Sam Taylor should not be overlooked, especially Whitfield.<\/p>\n

Whitfield is on par with Harris Andrews and Callum Wilke as one of the most dominant back half generals in the game, and like Andrews and Wilkie, Whitfield leads by example.<\/p>\n

In the last quarter when the Giants had to withstand a full-on Power surge, it was Whitfield absorbing the continuous pressure and repelling attack after attack, ably supported by his well-drilled troops.<\/p>\n

While Stringer provided the glamour in this game, and Cognilio provided the class when it was needed, it was the stoic Whitfield who refused to lay down when the Power had momentum in the last term.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Aliir Aliir<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Aliir Aliir is a player in a similar mould as Lachie Whitfield, and he has had a fantastic career thus far and with more to come.<\/p>\n

In the next week or two Aliir will frank his career when he plays his 200th game at the highest level, which seemed a distant dream when he was in and out of the Swans team, before he left Moore Park and headed to Alberton.<\/p>\n

In years to come the Swans will regret letting Aliir Aliir and Jordan Dawson leave. Perhaps they already do.<\/p>\n

Aliir\u2019s performance against the Giants as the stalwart down back, holding down the fort was huge, and worth mentioning. <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

In a game that never reached any great heights, it was the class players of the Giants who held their nerve better than their Power counterparts. And that decided this game.<\/p>\n

In the last quarter the Power couldn\u2019t capitalise when it was their\u00a0turn dominate and it cost them the four points. The Power handed the Giants at least another week\u2019s reprieve to stay in the hunt for tenth position. \u00a0<\/p>\n

The soft underbelly of both teams was exposed in this game with a number of 109+ game players from both teams not putting their hands up as the player who can take their game to the next level when the chips were down.<\/p>\n

The Power are in a year of rebuild, and even with a team decimated by injury, Josh Carr has installed an attitude of never surrendering. They have fallen short in eight close games this year, and while it is frustrating, it still signifies the team is not that far off.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, the Giants have been disappointing this year given they were considered a contender at the start of the season. It is highly unlikely they slip into tenth position based\u00a0on their current form, especially considering the Blues victory over the Lions, and as such the coaching staff at Engie should now be concentrating on how to improve next year.<\/p>\n

Zak Butters, who was hiding under a hoodie in the outer during\u00a0this match, may have well played his last game at Alberton, and his loss will leave a deep hole in the Power team for the next season of two.<\/p>\n

Butters has been a fantastic player and leader for the Power, and while he may be booed next year when he fronts up in Adelaide, he will be in the Power Hall of Fame in years to come.<\/p>\n

Jesse Hogan has played his career best football at the Giants, but does he now want out? Questions are now being asked. On the\u00a0back of the Giants slide down the ladder this season, Hogan maybe wanting out, and a few rumblings from the behind the scenes, the forensic post season analysis of the Giants will be interesting. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Fin<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Next week the Power face the second placed Swans at the SCG.<\/p>\n

In the battle of the newbies, who are both having seasons from hell, the Giants host the Suns in a game that read as a must watch at the start season but is now in the \u2018who cares\u2019 bucket of late season games with nothing riding on the result.<\/p>\n

Giants, Suns and Power, have all had forgettable seasons<\/p>\n

Finally, buy HB Meyers a coffee. He reviews four games every weekend, and he ensures at least a couple of articles are published each day.<\/p>\n

Fearless Leader is a bloody ripper.<\/p>\n

Stay bold and stay strong.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

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