GWS GIANTS fans have done it tough over the years, but the Round 1 victory over West Coast gave a glimpse in what could be the future for the orange team. Defeating West Coast by 12 points at ENGIE Stadium, coach Cam Bernasconi was thrilled with the win and it seemed like a coming-of-age performance.

“It’s an awesome win, and especially for this group,” he said. “We’ve done it pretty tough in the past, so these wins we certainly doin’t take for granted, and the way we did it, really proud with just how mature we were with the momentum swings, and also doing it at ENGIE with the double-header. “All the guys stayed around so the vibe in the rooms was unbelievable. We want to be one club, and you could certainly feel that tonight.”

There was plenty of feeling in the match, with a massive melee between the two sides after the three quarter time siren. While the old fashioned push-and-shove can sometimes get out of hand, Bernasconi said he was pleased with teammates backing up each other without going over the top.

“We’ve always really highly rated our pressure and that’s something we’re quite good at but we probably dipped at times,” he said. “But tonight we hovered around that 2.2 the whole game, and a little bit of dight in them was terrific to see. “Every club talks about connection and I think that shows that they stand up for one another, and I thought we did it appropriate and I think we didn’t cross the line either. “It was good the break came when it did so we could reset. But I just loved the way they attacked the contest, the pressure and we did it for four quarters.”

The Giants mentor had a host of key inclusions including debutants ruck Yasmeen Janschek and Kiera Yerbury around the contest, as well as the much-anticipated return of star onballer, Alyce Parker. GWS won the clearances 24-19 despite losing the hitouts (21-30), with the around the ground stoppage advantage (17-12) the difference between the sides.

“I think Shane Mumford‘s probably going to take all the credits for that so I’d better keep a lid on him. I think Yas coming in first game, gave us great first look,” Bernasconi said. “Alyce Parker comes back into and then Grace (Kos), so it’s a very young midfield, like Kiera Yerbury playing her first game in there. I was really impressed with the way even in our practice games we’ve been strong at clearance, but to do it when it really matters was a great effort.”

Parker – who missed all of last season due to injury – picked up where she left off with 23 disposals – 19 contested – eight tackles and 10 clearances in a massive effort. While her on-field ability is there for all to see, Bernasconi said the side benefited in more ways than just her skills.

“It’s all the stuff on the inside, but it’s her leadership as well,” he said. “The way she celebrates with teammates leading into the week and staff, she’s a person who people want to play for as well. “Having her back out there helps us so much at the contest, but in a tight game she’s a calm head and I thought she was terrific.”

Another leader who stepped up was skipper Rebecca Beeson with a career-high three goals to accompany her 18 touches in the win. Bernasconi said while the captain had always been a great player, to produce that kind of performance after a decade in the league was superb.

“She’s an unbelievable leader because she worries so much more about everyone else than herself, and she’s always done an incredible job developing the young talent around her,” he said. “But in important games she stands up and I thought she was unbelievable. That was the best I’ve seen Bec play, which is a testament to her, as an inaugural player our 11th season. “The game hasn’t got past her, she’s in her best form ever.”

One key aspect that turned the game in the Giants favour was Irish prospect Grace Kos’ tagging job on Eagles star, Ella Roberts. Kos kept Roberts to 15 disposals and one goal, limiting her match-winning ability in the tight game.

“I put it on her the moment we were playing West Coast I made that call,” Bernasconi said. “We had to put that bit of time into her, and Grace has all the attributes to be a great player in that sense and she’s learning the game, so not only does it help us put some time into the best opposition, but also it’s a great way to fast-track her development. I thought she handled herself really well. “(Roberts is a) quality player, and I thought she did a great job.”

The Giants now turn their attention to Melbourne on Saturday when the side travels to Casey Fields in what will be a massive test for the team. While getting the first-up victory was important, the coach said it was about refocusing and going again.

“It’s really important to enjoy the wins, but you also want to make it the norm,” Bernasconi said. “I think naturally that will happen with maturity. “I think a couple of years ago we had a great Round 1 win, and then we dipped after it, so that will be our challenge, to make sure that we stay a bit more neutral.

“I’ve always got a 24-hour rule, so you enjoy it but when you come back into the club win, lose or draw, you come back into it with a neutral mindset. “We’ve done that really well in the past when we’ve lost games, and now it will be a great test to enjoy tonight, but then come in with a really clear mind and neutral come Tuesday (yesterday) for our review.”