The GIANTS’ chances of featuring in this year’s VFL finals series will likely come down to the final round of the season in two weeks’ time after falling short to the red-hot Footscray by 41 points at Mission Whitten Oval.

Up against the hottest side in the competition, the GIANTS fought hard for most of the day in Friday’s clash but were outmatched after quarter time as Footscray continued their ravaging form with a 13.13 (91) to 7.8 (50) win – their ninth on the trot.

The GIANTS were up for the fight early on Friday and despite giving up the opening two goals inside the first four minutes were able to hit back with four of the next six majors to take a one-point lead into the first break.

The Dogs started to get off the leash after the first break however as a three goal to one second quarter saw the home side hold a 16-point half-time lead and set the tone for what was to come.

Footscray continued to fire in the third term with another three goal to one quarter despite the best efforts of James Leake, Josh Fahey, and Billy McGee Galimberti who were finding plenty of the footy and doing their best to keep the GIANTS in the contest.

Down by 32 at the last change, the GIANTS continued to work hard but some costly turnovers and an inability to capitalise in front of goal saw them fade away as Footscray again kicked three goals to one in the term to run out seven-goal winners.

The GIANTS had a host of strong performers despite the loss at Whitten Oval, with Leake (28 disposals, five marks, six clearances) continuing his fine VFL form, while McGee Galimberti (27 disposals, seven marks) had one of his best games in GIANTS colours to continually provide run out of defence.

Jacob Wehr (24 disposals, seven marks, five inside 50s, five clearances) also continued his stellar VFL form as he pushes for an AFL recall, while recent draftee Harry Oliver (23 touches, four marks, three clearances) impressed yet again as the young dashing defender continues to perform at a high level in the VFL.

Fellow rebounding defender Fahey (25 disposals, four marks, seven tackles) also found plenty of the footy and tried hard all day, while VFL skipper Ryan Hebron kicked a team-high three goals and took multiple strong marks as he provided a strong target ahead of the footy after being thrown forward against the Dogs.

Promising young ruck Nick Madden (24 disposals, 28 hit-outs, seven clearances) also performed strongly in Friday’s clash, while Phoenix Gothard (15 touches, four marks, three tackles, one goal) showed more glimpses of his exciting potential – highlighted by a brilliant running goal in the first quarter.

Meanwhile VFL-listed small forward Taine Moraschi (10 disposals, five tackles, two goals) played his best game of the season, with his forward pressure and liveliness around goal a highlight against the Dogs.

Teenagers Joey Delana (10 touches, six tackles) and Logan Smith (seven touches, nine hit-outs, three clearances) also had their moments, while promising young key forward Max Gruzewski (six touches, four tackles, one goal) competed well but couldn’t replicate the starring form he’s shown in the VFL so far in 2025.

While they lost no admirers going down to the second-placed Dogs while missing some of their key players, the GIANTS’ loss was compounded by an injury to emerging forward Nathan Wardius who hurt his left leg in an innocuous incident late in the second term and played no further part in the game. The young forward will be sent for scans over the weekend to confirm the extent of the injury.

Now sitting at 10-7 and in the middle of a jam-packed top 10, the GIANTS have a bye next week before facing the Suns in what could be do-or-die clash on the Gold Coast in the final round of the home and away season.

Pending other results, the GIANTS may need to win that final round clash with the Suns in order to finish inside the top six, with a loss possibly resulting in finishing amongst the Wildcard spots (seventh to tenth) which would force them into a sudden death Wildcard match to book themselves a spot in finals.

VFL Round 19

GIANTS        4.2   5.2   6.2 7.8 (50)
Footscray     4.1. 7.6 10.10 13.13 (91) 

Goalkickers

GIANTS: Hebron 3, Moraschi 2, Gruzewski, Gothard
Footscray: Croft 3, Dolan 3, Khamis 2, Sellwood, Scott, Jones, Hynes, Muratore