The GIANTS will have to fight their way into a VFL finals campaign across the final three rounds of the season after falling to the Swans by 28 points in the VFL edition of the Battle of the Bridge on Friday.

Played as a curtain raiser to Sydney Derby XXXI at ENGIE Stadium, a slow start saw the GIANTS trail by 35 points at the main break but unlike the club’s AFL side they could not reel the Swans back as the visitors ran out 14.15 (99) to 11.5 (71) winners.

Max Gruzewski did all he could in the loss with a starring performance as the leader of a brief fourth-quarter comeback which saw him kick his fourth and fifth goals of the game in quick succession to cut the lead to just 16 points midway through the final term.

The brief hope was just that however as the Swans responded moments later with a goal through Kaiden McNamara to push the lead back to four goals as the Swans held on for a gutsy win on the road.

Despite the end result the GIANTS started hot in the opening minutes of Friday’s clash as a shootout saw Logan Smith and Joey Delana both snag early majors as the sides traded quick blows with four goals inside the opening nine minutes to tease an epic back-and-forth encounter.

However, after the hot start the GIANTS quickly went cold from there as the Swans continued to fire to take a 20-point lead into the first break after a lengthy 38-minute opening term which featured nine goals – six of which came from the Swans.

Despite their shortcomings on the scoreboard, it was no fault of Jacob Wehr who had 10 touches, six tackles, three clearances and a goal in a brilliant opening term to lead the way for the GIANTS.

Gruzewski was another doing all he could, adding two more majors in the second term to continually provide a strong target in attack.

The promising young forward’s pair of second-quarter goals were the only majors the GIANTS could muster in the second term however as the silky Swans kicked four more of their own in another commanding term to take a six-goal lead into the main break.

The orange tsunami began to bubble away in the third term however as the GIANTS held the Swans goalless while kicking three of their own through Gruzewski, Louie Montgomery, and Mitchell Blow to cut the lead to just 21 at the final change.

The Swans finally responded to start the final term with back-to-back goals through Peter Ladhams and Jesse Dattoli to push the lead to 34 at the five-minute mark of the final quarter.

The threaten of a GIANTS comeback wasn't over there though as Delana kicked his second with a typically classy snap in traffic before the Gruzewski show continued with back-to-back majors to give the Swans a scare.

However, the 16-point margin was the closest the GIANTS would get as the Swans steadied with a major minutes later before icing the game with another soon after to run out steady 28-point winners.

Despite the loss there was strong performances from a host of GIANTS in the VFL Derby, with Gruzewski a force ahead of the ball with several strong grabs to finish with 13 disposals, seven marks, and five goals.

Delana (13 touches, five tackles, two goals), hard-running midfielder Jacob Wehr (26 touches, five marks, eight tackles, six clearances, one goal), and impressive first-year utility James Leake (24 touches, seven marks, seven tackles) were also strong against the Swans as they press their claims for an AFL recall.

Untried draftee Harry Oliver (25 touches, five marks, five tackles) was another of the GIANTS’ best, with the dashing defender using his pace and silky left foot to damaging effect throughout the contest as he continues his impressive debut season.

Josh Fahey worked hard behind the ball all day to finish with a game-high 29 touches to go along with six marks and seven tackles, while Harvey Thomas (21 touches, five tackles) was dangerous ahead of the footy in his usual role across half forward.

Meanwhile emerging ruckman Nick Madden (12 touches, 20 hit outs, five tackles) and Logan Smith (13 touches, 21 hit outs, four clearances, one goal) provided a strong presence around the ball and ahead of the footy as they shared ruck duties for the day.

Harry Rowston (16 touches, six tackles, four marks) started slow but worked his way into the game, while Lachlan Keeffe (12 touches, six marks) was solid as always in a role down back in the absence of Wade Derksen.

Leading the way for the VFL-listed cohort was Louie Montgomery wtih 18 touches, five clearances and a goal in another strong showing before a hamstring injury ended his day in the final term.

Other strong contributors were Izaac Hughes (11 touches, five marks) who took several strong marks, Harper Montgomery (15 touches, nine marks), and Billy McGee Galimberti (14 touches, five tackles).

Sitting at 10-6 on the season with two games and a bye remaining, the GIANTS next face Footscray at Whitten Oval next Friday as they continue their push for a finals spot amongst an extremely congested VFL ladder.

VFL Round 18

GIANTS    3.1   5.1   8.4 11.5 (71)
Swans      6.3 10.6  10.13 14.15 (99) 

Goalkickers

GIANTS: Gruzewski 5, Delana 2, Blow, L. Montgomery, Smith, Wehr 
Swans: Dattoli 3, King 2, Ladhams 2, McNamara 2, Green, Hanily, Kluske, Leidler, Warner