The GIANTS continue to purr in the VFL after making it six straight wins to start the season with a 32-point win over the Cats in Geelong on Sunday.

Played as a curtain raiser to the AFL clash at GMHBA Stadium, the GIANTS used a dominant seven goal to two second term to set up the 16.11 (107) to 11.9 (75) win away from home.

Buoyed by the brilliant second term, the GIANTS held a commanding 34-point half-time lead and despite a strong response from the Cats were too good when it mattered most to remain undefeated and on top of the VFL table at the conclusion of round seven.

Despite Marc Sheather and Max Gruzewski leading the way with brilliant opening terms, there was just a goal separating the sides at the first break on Sunday until the GIANTS turned it up a notch with a brilliant second term to take a six-goal lead into the sheds at half time.

The GIANTS remarkably had seven individual goalkickers in the stunning second quarter, with Lachlan Keeffe, Marc Sheather, Ryan Hebron, Izaac Hughes, Louie Montgomery, Harry Rowston, and Max Gruzewski all hitting the scoreboard as the orange tsunami surged.

However, the Cats managed to claw their way back into the contest after the main break as they kicked the first three goals of the third term to cut the lead from 34 to just 14 points late in the quarter.

With Geelong coming hard it was Gruzewski who continued his fine showing as he kicked his fourth for the day with a crucial long-range effort after the three-quarter-time siren to push the lead back to 21 points at the final change.

While the home side continued to remain within striking distance in the final term, they were unable to get close enough to really threaten the GIANTS who outscored the Cats five goals to four in the final stanza to register another impressive victory.

Sheather (26 disposals, nine tackles, four clearances, a goal) and Gruzewski (13 disposals, six marks, 4.2) were crucial for the GIANTS in the win, while James Leake (28 disposals, three tackles) also starred in his return after missing last week’s game with a groin injury.

Hebron (three goals) was another major contributor, while exciting young duo Ollie Hannaford (14 disposals, five tackles, 2.1) and Phoenix Gothard (15 disposals, four tackles, a goal) were lively all day and played their parts in numerous scoring chains.

Hannaford in particular was impressive throughout the second half in his first official game in GIANTS colours after a broken wrist delayed the start to his 2025 campaign.

A tough utility taken with pick 18 in last year’s draft, Hannaford was utilised across half forward in Sunday’s VFL clash where he managed to kick two final-term goals in a promising showing.

Fellow draftee Jack Ough was another who impressed as he continued his eye-catching form in the VFL, with the classy 194cm midfielder finishing with 21 disposals, four tackles, seven clearances and five marks to again be one of the GIANTS’ best.

Conor Stone (23 disposals, eight marks, four tackles) and Ryan Angwin (20 disposals) were also good yet again, while ruck Nick Madden (18 disposals, 41 hit-outs, four clearances, a goal) and dashing draftee Harry Oliver (17 disposals, six tackles, three clearances) played their parts in the win.

Harry Rowston (16 disposals, four clearances, a goal) and Josh Fahey (16 disposals, four marks) were also solid contributors.

Meanwhile defensive duo Wade Derksen (20 disposals, 13 marks) and Leek Aleer (16 disposals, 11 marks) continued their fine form down back against the Cats as they controlled the air with a combined 24 marks.

Nathan Wardius – the VFL’s leading goalkicker so far this season - was an important piece of the win (16 disposals, nine marks and four tackles) despite not finishing off his work in his typical classy fashion, finishing with 0.4 from his four shots at goal.

Veteran Lachlan Keeffe (10 disposals, six marks, 17 hit-outs, a goal) was another strong focal point in attack and played his role up forward and as a backup ruck to perfection as he hit the scoreboard and finished with a number of goal assists.

Meanwhile defender Louie Montgomery (20 disposals, four marks, a goal) led the way alongside Sheather for the VFL-listed contingent as he continued his strong debut season with the club.

Sunday’s win moved the GIANTS to 6-0 in the VFL season - the club’s best ever start to a VFL campaign since joining the competition from the disbanded NEAFL in 2021. The only better start to a season for the club’s second-tier side came in 2016 when it won its first seven matches in the NEAFL on the way to the 2016 NEAFL premiership.

The GIANTS will now aim to match that mark and make it seven straight wins to start the season when they travel to Victoria Park for a clash with Collingwood on Saturday morning.

VFL Round 7 

GIANTS     3.3  10.5 11.6 16.11 (107)
Cats           2.3   4.7 7.9   11.9 (75) 

Goalkickers  

GIANTS: Gruzewski 4, Hebron 3, Hannaford 2, Sheather, Keeffe, Montgomery, Madden, Rowston, Hughes, Gothard
Cats: Polkinghorne 2, Kreuger 2, Murray 2, Rantall, Lewis, Stevens, Pretschko, Wiltshire