Greater Western Sydney ran over the top of a tired Gold Coast SUNS outfit in the second week of the NAB Challenge series. Take a look at the media's reaction across the country following the game.

Ryan Griffen dominates on debut in GWS Giants win over Gold Coast SUNS
The Age
David Sygall

The SUNS fade was maybe owed to their six-day turnaround after playing Geelong in stifling conditions in Townsville and having to back up in a hot contest in north-western Sydney.

Harley Bennell offered three classy goals, David Swallow grabbed a team-high 24 touches and Adam Saad was eye-catching. But as the game reached its latter stages, the SUNS dropped off the pace.

Eade said the exciting Saad was his team's best defender, praised young Jack Leslie for his job marking Cameron and didn't make much of Swallow's lone hand in the clearances, given the pending returns of Gary Ablett, Dion Prestia and Jaeger O'Meara.

Ryan Griffen masterclass leads GWS to victory over Gold Coast SUNS
The Courier Mail
Greg Davis & Neil Cordy

Despite the best efforts of SUNS star Harley Bennell (three goals and 21 disposals), GWS dominated the match from the first bounce apart from a few rays of light from the Gold Coast.

To make matters worse for the SUNS, vice-captain Tom Lynch could come under the scrutiny of the Match Review Panel for a bump on GWS’ Matt Buntine late in the third quarter.

Former Dog Ryan Griffen stars as Giants swamp SUNS
afl.com.au
Peter Ryan

The SUNS faced a tough task with a six-day break between games and the toll showed late in the game when the Giants put their foot on the accelerator. They were obviously missing Gary Ablett in the centre and did not have their defensive spine with Rory Thompson and Steven May both missing. The SUNS were reasonable for three quarters, showing some resilience to hang in for as long as they did. The game held plenty of lessons but not many concerns for the SUNS.   
 
If Nick Malceski can instil in Gold Coast's defence some of the steeliness evident in the Sydney Swans then he will realise his full value at his new club. He and Jarrod Harbrow are the experienced left-footers in a defence that includes the emerging Kade Kolodjashnij and Adam Saad.