GWS Giants beat Gold Coast in mixed affair
The Age
Andrew Stafford
Devon Smith's effort to win the game for the Giants was even more meritorious when you consider the game of Ablett, who seemed determined to put to rest any lingering concerns about the state of his shoulder by laying an astonishing 17 tackles to go with 30 disposals and 10 clearances.
Oh, he also kicked three goals, the second poached off the boot of an opponent before being dribbled in from the boundary line; the last within 20 seconds of the commencement of the final quarter, suggesting the champion was about to step up to win the game off his own boot again.
Ablett had received the ball from Touk Miller, who played his best game yet in an outstanding debut season. Minutes later, Miller picked out Alex Sexton on the run, his third assist to go with two goals and five tackles. Miller, surely a Rising Star nominee next week, hunts the ball ruthlessly; he finished with a career-best 27 touches.
Giants hold off Gazza’s resurgent SUNS
Courier Mail
Greg Davis
Gold Coast duo Touk Miller and Gary Ablett worked tirelessly all day and did not deserve to be on the losing side.
Miller had 27 touches, including 18 contested possessions, nine clearances, seven inside 50s and two goals as well as three goal assists.
Meanwhile, Ablett had 30 disposals, three goals and 10 clearances. He also had 17 tackles to set a new personal best, surpassing the 14 tackles he produced against Fremantle in 2011.
Ablett also put his hand up for ‘Goal of the Year’ with a freakish passage of play in the 15th minute of the second term. He executed the perfect smother on Giants defender Nick Haynes as he attempted to clear the ball out of the GWS defensive 50.
Fanning or Gaz? Touk’s living the dream
Courier Mail
Andrew Hamilton
TOUK Miller’s mates still can’t believe it.
Envy doesn’t come close to describing how they feel about their mate strutting his stuff on the glitter strip alongside one of the all-time greats.
None of them imagined when Gold Coast called Miller’s name with their final pick, number 29, in last year’s draft, it would open the door for him to become surfing buddies with three-time world champion and SUNS fan Mick Fanning.
The fact that he also gets to play footy with Gary Ablett is just a bonus.
Miller loves his surfing and his footy and when asked what has been the highlight of a whirlwind debut season all he could come up with was that he “having the time of my life and still can’t believe this is my job.’’
