The GIANTS and the Sandringham Zebras played out the first draw of the VFL season at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday afternoon.
Trailing by 20 points at three-quarter time, the Zebras mounted a spirited final-quarter comeback but neither team could find a winner as the match finished all level at 8.11 (59).
Defender Josh Fahey continued his strong VFL form, registering 23 disposals and eight marks playing across half-back, with Cooper Hamilton also putting his hand up for an AFL debut, recording 20 disposals, eight marks and five tackles.
Jake Riccardi responded well to being omitted last week, registering 17 disposals, 10 marks and two goals, with Kieren Briggs also pushing for senior selection after another strong display in the ruck.
GIANTS VFL coach Damian Truslove said:
“We were really impressive for three quarters, especially with our contested ball, but in the last quarter we lost our way with our ball movement and our contested method.
“Hopefully we can return to form this weekend.”
Truslove shared his assessments of the AFL and VFL listed players who played in the match.
AFL Listed Players:
9 Ryan Angwin
12 disposals, 3 rebound-50s
Played the first half down back and the second on the wing. He gave us some great drive off half-back and won or halved several critical contests around the ground.
10 Jacob Wehr
15 disposals, 6 marks
Played a good role on the wing. His running patterns were really good and he used the ball well by both hand and foot.
20 James Peatling
15 disposals, 6 marks
Played as both an inside midfielder and high half forward. His speed and pressure around the ball was really good and he looked dangerous running through the midfield.
21 Leek Aleer
9 disposals, 4 rebound-50s
Had an important role down back, his defensive method was good and he attacked the ball well.
26 Jake Riccardi
2 goals, 10 marks
He presented well at the ball all day. He was in several contested marking situations and looked dangerous when he got the ball up forward.
29 Cameron Fleeton
5 disposals, 1 goal
Continues to attack the opponent and ball with aggression. His communication in the back half was crucial.
31 Jarrod Brander
11 disposals, 4 marks
Played a combination of wing and forward. He ran really hard, and led at the ball really well when up forward.
32 Kieren Briggs
36 hit-outs, 12 disposals
Really dominant in the ruck, his follow-up work is improving each week and so is his contested marking.
33 Xavier O'Halloran
18 disposals, 5 inside-50s
Attacked the ball and the opposition with a lot of aggression, was a great leader.
34 Josh Fahey
23 disposals, 8 marks
Gave us great rebound off half-back and used the ball well by foot. He continues to work hard on his defensive method.
35 Will Shaw
11 disposals, 6 inside-50s
Played as a high half-forward and was crucial around the contest.
43 Cooper Hamilton
20 disposals, 8 marks
Another hard and tough game locking away a small forward. He got involved with the ball movement in our back half and is in some really good form.
46 Callum Brown
14 disposals, 5 marks
Continues to work on his defensive craft and got more involved with our ball movement this week.
VFL Listed and Academy Players:
Josh Green
1 goal, 19 disposals
Providing a good option for us in the air down forward. He competes hard and helped with the pressure in the front half.
Harry Grintell
10 disposals, 1 goal
Started the game well and kicked a great goal from range in the first half. He continues to work on his forward craft.
Sam Frost
14 disposals, 5 marks
Played as a key defender this week. He defended really well for the entire contest.
Billy Clark
18 disposals, 5 marks
Played on the wing and down back. He was composed with ball in hand and ran good patterns to help the defence.
Ryan Hebron
15 disposals, 1 goal
Played at both ends of the ground and continues to win critical contests. He’s an outstanding leader.
Brodie Romensky
17 disposals, 3 tackles
Hard and tough around the stoppages, and will continue to work on his running patterns post stoppages.
Bailey Stewart
24 disposals, 6 tackles
Had his best game for the club so far. He found plenty of the ball and continues to improve each week.
Max Monaghan
15 disposals, 1 goal
Provided a lot of pressure in our front half and led up at the ball well.
Ricky Monti
8 disposals, 1 goal
His first game for the club, he worked hard between the contests and provided a good option in the forward half. He’ll continue to improve each week.
Sam Robinson
10 disposals, 4 marks
Another one playing his first game, he played a high half-forward role and ran really hard to provide a good option.
The GIANTS will look to continue their strong start to the VFL season when they clash with the Northern Bullants at Preston City Oval on Sunday afternoon at 1:35pm.
The AFL will live stream every match of the VFL season at afl.com.au/stream-vfl.
