Adam Tomlinson and Jack Steele combined for 95 disposals to enhance their claims for selection in the GIANTS senior side in the WSU GIANTS 53-point win over the Brisbane Lions Reserves on Sunday.
Tomlinson backed up last week’s 44 possession game to finish the match with 52 disposals, 11 inside 50s and a goal, while Steele collected 43 touches and kicked two goals in a complete performance.
“Those two guys were absolutely terrific today and to Jack's credit coming back, obviously dealing with the disappointment of going out of the senior team, the way he approached his footy today was A-One,” GIANTS NEAFL coach Brad Miller said.
“Tommo has been doing it now for a number of weeks where he has come back with a great attitude and sets an example for his younger teammates to follow.
“To both of their credit they have just been terrific.”
The performances of both Tomlinson and Steele was highlighted by GIANTS coach Leon Cameron on Sunday night with Cameron praising the constant push for selection from the club's NEAFL players.
“It’s great having three or four players that are knocking the door down, those guys will get their opportunity most likely next week,” Cameron said.
“The good thing about Adam Tomlinson is he is so flexible, I played him on Nick Riewoldt last year and he is the only player on our list that could probably run with Nick.
“He has been terrific for our footy club and he is definitely putting his hand up.”
After a tight first quarter, the GIANTS kicked seven goals in the second quarter, with ruckman Tom Downie and academy draftee Matthew Kennedy both kicking two each to open up a 21-point halftime lead.
The third quarter was dominated by defence with only one goal kicked, before the GIANTS regained the ascendancy to kick nine last quarter goals and record back-to-back wins.
Rookie listed forward Daniel Lloyd continued to impress, kicking two goals and providing plenty of headaches for the Lions defence, while defender Pat McKenna played an influential role in the backline.
“Lloydy has been playing some really good footy, to be able to go forward and finish his work,” Miller said
“He is a really good long shot on goal which makes him quite damaging so he is developing really nicely.
“I thought Patty McKenna’s move to the halfback line has been really good for his footy, he is really starting to have an input in games and is impacting some really important balls and getting us going with his ball movement.
“We had some pretty good contributors today, a few guys who are working on their game from an individual point of view and it’s great to see some improvement.
“It was good that the guys got the job done but my message to the guys after the game was just about consistency and effort because when we bring it consistently we are a really good side and we actually play some really good footy.”
The 19.9 (123) to 10.10 (70) victory sees the GIANTS sit in fifth place on the NEAFL ladder after round eight, with the GIANTS set to travel to Queensland to take on second placed Aspley this weekend.
WSU GIANTS 2.0 9.2 10.8 19.9 (123)
LIONS RESERVES 2.1 5.5 6.7 10.10 (70)
Goals
James Stewart, Matthew Kennedy 3, Tom Downie, Sam Reid, Daniel Lloyd, Jack Steele, Matthew Flynn 2, Adam Tomlinson, Harrison Himmelberg, Dawson Simpson.
Best
Adam Tomlinson, Jack Steele, Pat McKenna, Tom Downie, Daniel Lloyd, Jeremy Finalyson.
