<
>

Patton boots six as Giants down Port

Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Full-forward Jonathan Patton has inspired Greater Western Sydney to a 31-point AFL win over Port Adelaide in Canberra.

Patton booted a career-high equalling six goals in Saturday's match at UNSW Canberra Oval, with Jeremy Cameron (21 disposals, eight marks and one goal) influential at half-forward.

While the Giants piled on the goals late, the eventual 16.16 (112) to 11.15 (81) scoreline didn't reflect the true nature of an enthralling contest played in front of a crowd of 9,185.

The Power went to the final change with a four-point lead, the biggest margin at any break during the game.

Toby Greene's third major put GWS back in front early in the final quarter and he added his fourth five minutes later to create a two-goal buffer.

Patton took a strong contested mark at the top of the goal square to help himself to an easy set shot for number five, and when he drew a free-kick deep inside 50 two minutes later he was able to make his sixth the sealer.

Tom Scully was let off the leash, regularly finding space to rack up 32 touches while Dylan Shiel (28) and Josh Kelly (30) were also impressive through the midfield.

Cameron brought up his 250th AFL goal in the first quarter, opening up a 15-point lead with the Giants threatening to break the game apart.

But in a sign of things to come, the Power rallied with two late goals bringing them within three points at the first break.

Jasper Pittard starred for Port Adelaide off half-back with 24 disposals, while skipper Travis Boak was influential with two goals and 21 touches.

Giants defender Heath Shaw left the ground with a leg complaint in the third quarter but returned to play out the game in the forward line, where Patton proved the decisive factor.