GWS Giants players have again been accused of checking out by interim coach Mark McVeigh after a disappointing loss against the Sydney Swans.
While many previous Sydney derbies had been close irrespective of ladder position, the Giants were non-competitive as the Swans ran out 17. 10. (112) to 5. 9. (39) winners at the SCG.
Despite being in an interim role, McVeigh has not been shy about calling his players out amid a disappointing season that is set to see the Giants miss the finals for the first time since 2016.
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After perhaps the most disappointing loss in his short tenure, McVeigh did not mince his words.
“It’s very disappointing, very unlike the Giants,” he told reporters.
“These are the games that you’ve got to get up for and our club has prided itself on that for a long period of time.
“It’s just the unfortunate part of dealing with whether players have checked out or not, and that’s as honest as you possibly can be.
“If we look at the list, there was probably about eight players who went to the war today … eight players doing that is not enough. I’m extremely disappointed with today, we embarrassed our club.”
The Giants have been heavily linked to Alastair Clarkson, but McVeigh has voiced his intention to keep the job beyond this season.
For the Swans, it was another performance where their young players dazzled.
Second-year midfielder Errol Gulden finished with 33 disposals, 12 marks and two goals, while Sam Reid, Isaac Heeney and Lance Franklin all kicked three goals.
The win enhances the Swans’ chances of finishing the season in the top four, with the team sitting in fourth.
Sydney can retain fourth spot if the Brisbane Lions lose to Richmond at the MCG on Sunday.
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