The GIANTS were unable to tame the Tigers in the VFL on Saturday afternoon as they fell to Richmond by 12 points in a tough and tight contest at ENGIE Stadium.

Played as a curtain raiser to the club’s AFL clash, a slow start saw the GIANTS trail by 28 points at the half and despite threatening a comeback at various stages were unable to bridge the gap enough as the visitors ran out 13.14 (92) to 12.8 (80) winners.

Roaring out of the blocks with four of the first five goals, the Tigers were cleaner with the footy and more efficient with the ball early on and likely should have found themselves up by more than eight points at the first change if not for some brilliance around goals from Joey Delana and Billy McGee Galimberti who both kicked important and classy majors in the opening term.

While the GIANTS’ intent and effort could not be faulted, the Tigers continued to be slightly slicker with the footy in the second term which played out almost identically to the first across the first 20 minutes, with Richmond again kicking four of the quarter’s first five goals to take control of the game.

Despite strong first-halves from the likes of Nick Madden, Harry Oliver and Conor Stone, the GIANTS entered the main break down by four goals as the Tigers capitalised on a 30-20 inside 50 advantage.

The GIANTS looked like they’d found their mojo to start the third term after Nathan Wardius and James Leake kicked back-to-back goals in the opening minutes before the Tigers quickly responded with two of their own to push the lead back to four goals.

Despite the stubbornness of the Tigers the GIANTS continued to fight their way back into the contest and found themselves down by just 20 points at the final break thanks to a brilliant long-range goal from Harry Rowston and a classy set shot late in the term from Lachlan Keeffe.

The orange tsunami continued to swell to start the fourth term after it took Wardius just nine seconds into the quarter to kick his third goal of the game to cut the lead to just 14 points with plenty of time to play.

While the Tigers found an immediate reply from a free kick and 50m penalty deep in attack, the GIANTS continued to threaten as Conor Stone was swung forward and kicked a clutch goal to trim the margin to just 16 with more than 10 minutes to play.

But as had been the script all day, the Tigers responded once again when needed as small forward Mohammed Yassine kicked truly to push the lead back to 22 points late in the term.

While the result seemed almost out of reach, the GIANTS refused to surrender and managed to cut the margin to just two goals with following a pair of brilliant late goals to Rowston and super impressive youngster Jack Ough.

But despite their efforts the GIANST ultimately left to rue their slow start to Saturday’s clash as they ran out of time and the Tigers held on to register a gutsy 12-point win.

There were plenty of strong performers for the GIANTS despite the loss, with Harry Rowston (26 touches, seven tackles, five clearances, two goals) starring to push his claims for an AFL recall after playing as the sub for the AFL side last weekend.

Ruck Nick Madden (18 touches, 37 hit-outs, six clearances) was another who continued his fine season, while untried draftee Harry Oliver (29 touches, nine marks) continued his impressive debut season with another strong outing off half-back.

AFL-listed duo James Leake (29 touches, six marks, six tackles, four clearances, a goal) and Conor Stone(26 touches, 13 marks, a goal) also had brilliant games, while Josh Fahey (23 touches), Wade Derksen (22 touches, 13 marks) and Ryan Angwin (20 touches, four tackles) all found plenty of the ball.

Nathan Wardius (10 touches, 3.2) was another who continues to shine at VFL level and despite missing some opportunities he would normally nail he was still the GIANTS’ most impactful forward.

Fellow AFL-listed forwards Max Gruzewski (11 touches, eight marks, one goal) and Josaia Delana (10 touches, three tackles, a goal) were also dangerous targets ahead of the footy against the Tigers.

While Jack Ough (15 touches, five clearances, a goal) didn’t have as much of the footy as in previous weeks the exciting inside midfielder had his usual moments of brilliances as he continues to push his case for an AFL debut.

Another positive out of Saturday’s clash was the appearances of two youngsters, with promising young ruck Logan Smith playing his first game of the year since being drafted by the club last November, and GIANTS Academy young gun Ethan Matthews not looking out of place in a solid VFL debut for the slightly-built 16-year-old.

Now sitting at 6-3 on the season, the GIANTS will look to return to their winnings ways next week when they host the Northern Bullants in Blacktown on Saturday morning.

VFL Round 10

Richmond      4.3 8.6 11.10 13.14 (92)
GIANTS              3.1 4.2   8.8 12.8 (80)

Goalkickers

Richmond: Bauer 3, Clarke 2, Raso 2, Rioli 2, Ryan, Scott, Trezise, Yassine
GIANTS: Wardius 3, Rowston 2, Delana, Gruzewski, McGee Galimberti, Keeffe, Leake, Ough, Stone