Defenders Adam Kennedy and Nathan Wilson have pushed their claims for a round one recall after strong performances in a NEAFL practice match.
 
The UWS GIANTS led an ACT representative side 12.7 (79) to 7.4 (46) when the match at Ainslie’s Alan Ray Oval on Sunday was called off late in the third term.
 
Play didn’t resume after GIANTS draftee Paul Ahern received a heavy bump and was taken to hospital in an ambulance with a neck injury.
 
Ahern, 18, was cleared of injury at Canberra Hospital and later re-joined his teammates at StarTrack Oval, Canberra to watch the NAB Challenge match.
 
UWS GIANTS coach Brett Hand said he was pleased with how Ahern was playing before the incident.
 
“Paul was playing in the midfield and his ability to find space was pleasing and he used the ball well," Hand said.
 
“It’s good to see he got the all clear from the medical staff after he was taken to hospital as a precaution.”
 
While Hand was happy with the performance with Ahern, Zac Williams and Jack Steele in the midfield, he said the best performances came from Kennedy and Wilson across half back.
 
“Kennedy was clearly our best player. He was defensively strong, didn’t get beaten in one on ones, carried the ball well and ran into space well," Hand said.
 
“Nathan Wilson was also very good. He came back with the flight of the ball, had a good one on one battle, won most of them but most importantly instigated a lot of our play.
 
“It was a good hit out for us. It was good to play against some older, more physical, experienced players and we got what we needed out of it.
 
“We started the game really well. Our ball movement was good, we were clean and I was pretty happy with how we moved it."
 
Forward James Stewart also showed he could be considered for round one of the AFL season when St Kilda hosts the GIANTS at Etihad Stadium.
 
“James kicked four goals including three in the first and looked lively. He was a handful for them and jumped at the ball really well, taking a couple of contested marks,” Hand said.
 
“We now have a weekend off before we finalise preparations for the NEAFL season with a final practice match against the Swans reserves.
 
“We had 15 AFL listed players for this game and are likely to have 15 to 16 available again in a fortnight so it’ll be a good opportunity for a hit out.”