The GIANTS sit atop the VFL ladder after remaining unbeaten with a stirring 26-point comeback-win over the Swans in the VFL edition of the Sydney Derby on Sunday night.

Played as a curtain closer under the bright lights of the SCG following the AFL’s Sydney Derby, the GIANTS trailed by four goals in the third term but flicked a switch to storm home and register a gutsy 13.13 (91) to 9.11 (65) win over the crosstown rival.

Down by 22 points early in the third quarter after the Swans opened the second half with two quick goals, the GIANTS responded in dominant fashion with five of the next six goals of the quarter to turn the deficit into a five-point lead heading into the final term.

The orange tsunami continued to surge in the final quarter as Phoenix Gothard and Lachlan Keeffe both kicked clever snap goals to extend the lead before exciting draftee Cody Angove put the nail in the coffin as he capped off a brilliant performance with his third goal of the day.

The impressive win has the GIANTS perched on top of the VFL ladder at 5-0 as the only undefeated side in the competition following wins over Williamstown, Sandringham, Casey, and Footscray prior to Sunday’s fifth straight win.

While the final three quarters of Sunday’s contest saw huge momentum swings and passages of dominance, the first quarter started out with both sides firing simultaneously as they traded blows in an exhilarating 10-goal opening term which featured several classy finishes in front of goal as the Swans held a slim three-point lead at the first break.

From there though the scoring dried up completely in an incredibly contrasting second quarter which saw just one goal kicked between the sides as the Swans outscored the GIANTS 1.4 to 0.2 to take an 11-point lead into the main break as they threatened to hand Wayne Cripps’ side its first defeat of the season.

However, unlike their AFL side on the day, the Swans’ VFL squad was unable to see the game through as the GIANTS kicked eight goals to three after half time to run out comfortable four-goal winners.

Leading the way in the fifth straight win were a host of strong performances for the GIANTS, particularly from a couple of recent draftees, with Angove (20 disposals, three goals) brilliant on the wing, and Jack Ough (32 disposals, 10 clearances, eight inside 50s, five marks, six tackles) dominant on the inside as he starred for a second straight week.

Harry Rowston (25 disposals, six tackles, four clearances, seven inside 50s) also provided great grunt on the inside while also carrying the footy at every opportunity, as well as VFL-listed midfielder Marc Sheather (31 disposals, five clearances) being another who led from the front all day as he found plenty of the footy and used his physicality in trademark fashion.

Conor Stone (19 disposals) and Wade Derksen (25 disposals, 13 intercept possessions, nine marks) were others that played their roles well in the win, whereas Leek Aleer (seven disposals, three tackles) didn’t find much of the footy but was strong defensively to help stifle several Swans forward entries.

Draftee Harry Oliver (20 disposals, seven marks), ruck Nick Madden (19 disposals, five marks, 23 hit-outs, a goal), and Ryan Angwin (18 disposals, six marks) also contributed strongly.

Meanwhile a trio of AFL-listed forwards led the way up front against the Swans, with Max Gruzewski (11 disposals, four marks, 2.3) and Keeffe (11 disposals, 12 hit-outs, three clearances, 2.2) both strong targets ahead of the footy, while Nathan Wardius (10 disposals, four marks, 1.2) didn’t make the most of his chances but continued to be a threat as he carried on his stellar VFL form.

Phoenix Gothard (14 disposals, one goal) also had his moments as he continues to build following an injury-interrupted start to the season.

VFL-listed GIANT James Lugsdin also played a crucial role in Sunday’s win, with the hardnut kicking an important goal in the third term against his former side and playing a hand in several others in the quarter to help spark the GIANTS as they reeled in the Swans.

VFL-listed brothers Harper (16 disposals, six marks, a goal) and Louie Montgomery (17 disposals, six marks) were also strong behind the ball, with Harper kicking a vital goal as part of the third-quarter comeback.

The GIANTS will look to continue their winning ways when they face off with Geelong at GMHBA Stadium next Sunday morning in a VFL curtain raiser to the AFL clash between the clubs.

VFL Round 6

GIANTS     5.1 5.3 10.7 13.13 (91)
Swans       5.4 6.8 9.8 9.11 (65) 

Goalkickers

GIANTS: Angove 3, Gruzewski 2, Keeffe 2, Wardius, Hebron, Gothard, Lugsdin, Madden, H. Montgomery
Swans: Hanily 3, Ladhams  2, Harrison , Kluske, Lloyd, Sheldrick