The GIANTS remain undefeated in the VFL this season after yet another impressive performance saw them easily account for a gritty Footscray side by 73 points in slippery conditions in Blacktown on Sunday afternoon.
The visiting Footscray fought hard for most of the opening two quarters before the orange tsunami swept the Dogs away with seven straight goals either side of half-time to set up the comfortable 17.18 (120) – 6.11 (47) win.
Holding a 12-point lead after a back-and-forth opening term, the GIANTS flexed their muscles with a huge second quarter where a Nathan Wardius goal on the half-time siren saw the GIANTS take a commanding 42-point lead into the second half following a clinical seven goal to two term.
The GIANTS continued on their merry way after the main break with a three goal to one third quarter to give themselves a 53-point lead at the final change which would only grow further following a brilliant four-quarter showing.
In control from siren to siren, the catalyst for their fourth straight win was the GIANTS’ ability to take away the Dogs’ short-kicking game and their uncontested marks, while also being cleaner with the ball and more effective off turnover for most of the day.
Just as impressive as their offence on Sunday – which featured 10 individual goalkickers - was the GIANTS’ smothering defence – with Wayne Cripps’ men restricting the visitors to just six goals for the day and only two majors in the entire second half.
Sunday’s 12-goal victory has the GIANTS sitting unbeaten at 4-0 to start the VFL season after beating Williamston by 29 points, Sandringham by 108, and Casey by 53 in a red-hot start to their 2025 campaign.
While Leek Aleer (11 disposals, eight marks) starred down back on Sunday to lead a rock-solid defence with countless spoils and intercept possessions, it was a host of AFL-listed youngsters and a pair of VFL-listed GIANTS who were crucial in the middle and up forward against the Dogs.
Recent draftee Jack Ough (23 disposals, seven clearances) was certainly amongst the best as he continues to show his class and composure as a midfielder in his first season at the club, while Joe Fonti (24 disposals , seven marks, four tackles), Harry Rowston (22 disposals, two goals, six tackles), Harry Oliver (20 disposals, five marks), and Cody Angove (19 disposals, five marks) were all impressive yet again.
VFL-listed duo Marc Sheather (26 disposals, eight tackles, nine clearances) and Louie Montgomery (23 disposals, one goal, six marks, five clearances) also starred in the win as they continued their impressive VFL campaigns.
Meanwhile, Phoenix Gothard (19 disposals, three goals, five tackles) put in a great showing in his second game back from injury as he continues to build and press for an AFL debut.
Nathan Wardius (16 disposals, five marks, three goals), Callum Brown (15 disposals, five marks, two goals), and Josaia Delana (10 disposals, two goals) were other multiple goalkickers in the GIANTS’ well-rounded spread of scoreboard threats.
Meanwhile, Josh Fahey (18 disposals, six marks) and Ryan Angwin (15 disposals, six tackles) had strong moments in their second games back from long-term injuries, James Leake (15 disposals, four tackles) and ruck Nick Madden (14 disposals, eight clearances, 32 hit-outs, four clearances) were solid contributors, while forward duo Max Gruzewski (eight disposals, one goal) and Lachlan Keeffe (nine disposals, one goal) played their roles in conditions not suited to key forwards.
Sitting as one of only three unbeaten teams alongside Southport and Box Hill after round five, the GIANTS will look to make it five on the trot to start their season next Sunday at the SCG when they face the archrival Swans in a curtain closer at 4:35pm following the AFL clash between the sides.
VFL Round 5
GIANTS 4.7 11.8 14.10 17.18 (120)
Footscray 2.7 4.8 5.11 6.11 (47)
Goalkickers
GIANTS: Gothard 3, Wardius 3, Brown 2, Delana 2, Rowston 2, Gruzewski, Keeffe, Lugsdin, H. Montgomery, L. Montgomery
Footscray: Croft, Cunningham, Hargraves, Lewis, Poulter, Smith
