A strong return from star vice-captain Stephen Coniglio and a best-on-ground display from birthday boy Jacob Wehr headlined a host of huge performances in the VFL on Saturday as the GIANTS registered a gutsy 19-point win over the reigning premiers in Werribee.

Playing his first game in 13 weeks after overcoming a persistent glute injury, Coniglio showed passages of his brilliant line-breaking best against the Tigers as he helped lead the GIANTS to a brave 11.12 (78) - 8.11 (59) win over Werribee at Avalon Airport Oval.

Up by four points at the half and 10 points at the final change in a low-scoring and defensive affair, the GIANTS pushed out to a game-high 22-point lead midway through the final term before withstanding a brief Tiger comeback to hold on for a crucial win on the road over last year’s premier.

Playing in just his third-ever VFL game – following back-to-back games at the level in 2021 – Coniglio wasted no time in shaking off his glute troubles with a brilliant opening term before continuing to play a pivotal role throughout the remainder of the gritty win.

Finishing with 23 touches, six clearances, six inside 50s, and six tackles, Coniglio ticked all the boxes in a hugely successful return as he led the GIANTS to a crucial VFL win alongside impressive performances from Toby McMullin, Nick Madden, and Jacob Wehr.

McMullin starred despite a hectic travel schedule which saw him travel from Sydney to Perth (as the travelling AFL emergency for Friday night’s game against West Coast) to Victoria in a short period of time to play in Saturday’s VFL game, finishing with 17 disposals, 13 tackles, six clearances and two goals in a superb performance.

Despite Coniglio and McMullin’s efforts it was Wehr who shone brightest against the Tigers as he celebrated his 27^th birthday in style, with the hard-running utility finishing with 27 touches, nine tackles, eight clearances, 12 inside 50s, and two goals in a standout performance to press his claims for an AFL recall.

Meanwhile Madden played a hugely impactful role to help service the star midfielders at his feet, with the 21-year-old finishing with 22 touches, 42 hitouts, seven tackles, eight clearances and two eye-catching monster torpedos in his first game back at VFL level after his maiden three AFL appearances.

Despite the end result it wasn’t looking promising for the GIANTS early in Saturday’s clash as the Tigers dominated territory and inside 50s in the opening half of the first quarter.

While it took the Tigers just three minutes to kick their first major of the day it took until the 22-minute mark of the opening term for the GIANTS to hit back through youngster Alex Swinnerton.

While they didn’t start as sharp as they’d have hoped it slowly but surely turned around for the GIANTS who starved the Tigers of their second goal for almost 45 minutes across the first and second terms to take a slight ascendancy into half time.

With strong defensive displays from both backlines, the scoreboard read more like a soccer score in the first half as the GIANTS led three goals to two at the main break in a scrappy affair despite relatively favourableweather conditions.

While neither side could shake the other, the game opened up slightly in the third as both sides made more from their chances in a combined seven-goal quarter which saw the GIANTS slightly extend their lead to 10 points at the final change.

After McMullin and Lachlan Keeffe kicked two of the opening three goals of the final term, it was no other than Wehr who continued his brilliant birthday performance with a classy running goal to push the lead to a game-high 22 points midway through the final term.

While the home side managed to kick back-to-back goals in the final minutes to briefly threaten a comeback, that was quickly stifled when Louie Montgomery iced the game in red time with his second major as the GIANTS registered an important 19-point win – their ninth of the season.

The GIANTS had a host of other strong performers in the win, with Josh Fahey (21 touches, eight tackles) providing great drive off half back, while returning draftee Jack Ough (21 disposals, seven tackles, seven clearances) wasted no time continuing his brilliant maiden VFL campaign.

Fellow draftee Harry Oliver (17 touches, five marks) was another solid contributor in his role as a rebounding defender, while key defender Wade Derksen (15 touches, six marks) was reliable behind the ball as always.

For the VFL-listed GIANTS, Louie Montgomery (13 touches, two goals) led the way playing in a new role up forward, while Sam McMeeken (17 touches) and Liam McCarty (16 touches) were also strong.

The GIANTS now sit fourth on the VFL table at 9-4 ahead of a meeting with the Cats in a curtain raiser to the AFL clash next Saturday at ENGIE Stadium.

VFL Round 15 

GIANTS       1.3 3.5. 7.7 11.12 (78)
Werribee    1.5 2.7 5.9 8.11 (59)

Goalkickers

GIANTS:  Wehr 2, Gothard 2, Keeffe 2, L Montgomery 2, McMullin, Swinnerton, Lugsdin
Werribee: Grintell 2, Garoni, Hicks, Lohmann, Maguire, Malual, Wright