The GIANTS Reserves went down to Sydney Uni in a NEAFL trial match on Saturday but several players put their hands up for senior selection.

Ahead of round one of the NEAFL season on Saturday at Spotless Stadium, NEAFL Coach Brad Miller is looking for improved effort and intensity from his side this weekend. 

“We ended up getting run over in the end, I think we ended up losing by 40-odd points even though the scoreboard wasn’t that important,” Miller said.

“Sydney Uni came to play, they fielded a pretty strong side and I think they’ve improved a lot on last year with their personnel but our guys just didn’t come prepared to work hard enough for four quarters and we were exposed in the end.”

Miller said several senior-listed players stood tall in the second trial match of the season.

“Jacob Hopper and Daniel Lloyd were good for four quarters through our midfield and I thought we had dominance through the midfield,” Miller said.

“Dawson Simpson was giving us first use of it in the ruck, dominated hit-outs and gave our guys first look.

“Sam Reid only played the first half and then went to Adelaide as a travelling emergency and he was a big loss when he came off at half-time.

“He was playing really well in the first half, he was working really hard and he was one of the few guys who was covering the ground and really working hard.

“Tim Mohr was solid down back and I though Zach Sproule played his best game for the club, he kicked four goals and was really lively up forward.” 

With at least one forced change likely to the AFL side following Tendai Mzungu’s suspected hamstring injury, Miller expected three midfielders to be in the mix come team selection on Thursday.

“I think you’d be looking at those experienced guys; Reid, Hopper - who has now played three games coming back from injury and has put his hand up for selection and I think Daniel Lloyd has done nothing but knock the door down for the last month and will definitely be in the mix.

“I also think Dawson Simpson is ready to go should we need to call on him in the ruck.”

Following their maiden NEAFL Premiership in 2016, the GIANTS Reserves will be looking to kick off their season on the right note when they take on the Gold Coast Suns Reserves at 12.55pm on Saturday at Spotless Stadium.

“They had 20 listed players that played (last week) so they’ve obviously got a really healthy list so we’re expecting a really tough match-up coming into the game,” Miller said.

“They’re going to run really hard and it’s the first chance for our guys to play on Spotless and and play a curtain-raiser which is exciting for the boys.  

“We’ve had a really good review and I daresay we’ll see a spike in the effort and intensity around the ball and our ability to work hard so that’s what we’re really hoping for coming into the game.”