There were encouraging signs from a number of young GIANTS despite a lopsided result for the GIANTS Reserves in the NEAFL on Saturday.

After a promising start, the GIANTS were overrun, particularly in the second half, against a Brisbane Lions Reserves team boasting a wealth of AFL talent, going on to lose 6.4 (40) to 19.19 (133).

Dawson Simpson put in another dominant display in the ruck, while the first-year GIANT Aiden Bonar didn’t shy away from the tough challenge of an impressive Lions midfield.

GIANTS NEAFL coach Adam Schneider said he was pleased with the way his charges persevered.

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“They never gave up, which was pretty pleasing,” he said. “It was a tough day, but to really hang in there and not let it get to any frustrations or anything silly happening was really pleasing.

“There’s a few things we need to work on as well, and our ball movement was definitely one of them.

“So we’ll get that on the track this week and hopefully have another good hitout against Southport.”

Matt Buntine impressed in his first match back since a knee reconstruction, while there was also good signs from first-gamer Brent Daniels.

“A huge congratulations to Buntine for playing, the boys absolutely love him, they got around him.” Schneider said.

“To see what he’s gone through as a player, to go through 392 days without playing a game of footy and return the way he did was fantastic.” 

GIANTS 2.2, 5.3, 5.3, 6.4 (40)

Lions 5.2, 9.9, 13.13, 19.19 (133)

The GIANTS Reserves hit the road to take on Southport at Frankhauser Reserve at 12 noon on Saturday, May 5.

GIANTS NEAFL coach Adam Schneider on the performance of GIANTS AFL-listed players:

Aiden Bonar – 24 disposals, 6 tackles, 5 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal

“Aiden had a really big day in the midfield. He was up against eight midfielders who have played AFL before, so it was a great challenge for Aiden. To come away with his contested possessions and clearances was very pleasing. We know he’s a beast in there, but he’s still working on some stuff outside of that as well.”

Dylan Buckley – 16 disposals, 3 tackles, 3 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 marks, 1 goal

“Dylan was good. He came back from a really big corkie last game and was still a little bit sore from that. We put him in the midfield because the ball wasn’t getting down forward much, but he’s very lively and he kicked a really good goal.”

Zach Sproule – 16 disposals, 6 tackles, 5 marks, 3 inside 50s, 2 clearances

“I threw him in the middle, he came in and laid six tackles and just ran all day for us. Zach is finding his feet now after missing the first few games.”

Matt Buntine – 15 disposals, 7 rebound 50s, 5 marks, 4 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s

“Buntine was great, he was like a little kid at Christmas, he was that excited before the game. But when he went out there, he’s like an extra coach for me out on the ground, which really helps. He’s a very brave player, which I’ve learnt pretty quickly and will fly for anything.”

Isaac Cumming – 15 disposals, 6 tackles, 3 rebound 50s, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 1 mark

“Isaac was a bit down on form for us this week, compared to what he has been. He still fought pretty hard one-on-one and unfortunately we didn’t have the ball in his hands enough.”

Brent Daniels – 14 disposals, 2 marks, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 tackle, 1 goal

“Little Binga’s good – he’s very, very good when he’s got ball in hand. There’ll be some super exciting times ahead with him, I’m just looking forward to him getting a month of footy under his belt, getting the fitness up and he could be knocking on the door in the future for the AFL team.”

Lachlan Keeffe – 13 disposals, 6 marks, 2 rebound 50s, 1 inside 50,

“Lachie Keeffe is one of my favourites to coach, just very, very good and really listens and learns and definitely drives other players as well.”

Matt Flynn – 12 disposals, 18 hitouts, 2 marks, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 1 tackle

“A little bit down on the weekend – won the hitouts, dropped a couple of easy marks. He’s been in good form, we’ve just got to work on his consistency.”

Sam Taylor – 10 disposals, 3 marks, 3 rebound 50s

“He’s building again. He’s into his third game now and he’s very hard to play on. He’s very good one-on-one and he’s like a giraffe, all arms and legs, but he gets a spoil in there and he does really well.”

Jack Buckley – 10 disposals, 3 marks, 3 inside 50s, 2 clearances, 2 tackles, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal

“Jack Buckley ran 15 kilometres on the weekend, just tireless – his work rate was huge. He didn’t find a lot of the footy, but his work rate was fantastic and some of his pressure efforts to help out the team were super.”

Tim Mohr – 10 disposals, 3 marks, 3 rebound 50s, 1 tackle

“He was probably one of our best. He had a role on Walker, who is probably one of Brisbabe’s best forwards and has played a lot of AFL as well. We felt Mohr convincingly beat him. He did really well, nearly ran 14 kilometres.”

Dawson Simpson – 7 disposals, 37 hitouts, 4 tackles, 3 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 marks

“Big Daws was very good in the ruck again, absolutely dominated the ruck for us, gave our guys first use in the middle and had over 30 hitouts again.”