The GIANTS’ 2025 VFL season is over after falling to Richmond by 18 points in Saturday’s knockout Wildcard Round clash at ETU Stadium in Port Melbourne. 
 
The GIANTS were brave throughout the cutthroat clash where they managed to cut an early 25-point deficit to just two at half time but were unable to go with Richmond after the main break as the Tigers tore the game apart with a brilliant seven-goal third quarter to help them run out 17.14 (116) to 14.14 (98) winners. 

It was a highly entertaining contest from the get-go on a beautiful sunny day in Melbourne, with the Tigers kickstarting a fast and furious opening term with four unanswered goals inside the first 15 minutes before the GIANTS’ ferocious tackle pressure and the class of returning AFL star Brent Daniels saw them hit back.  

It was a frustrating start for the GIANTS who led most key stats early on – including an 11-8 inside 50 advantage – but still trailed 25-1 midway through the opening term as the Tigers made the GIANTS pay in transition with three brilliant running goals while at the other end the GIANTS were finding it tough to get reward on the scoreboard.  

The tide soon turned for the GIANTS in the back half of the quarter however as impressive Academy youngster Ethan Matthews found Hugo Birks deep in attack for the side’s first goal before brilliant chase-down tackles from Taine Moraschi and Josh Fahey set the tone as the GIANTS began to take control of the contest. 

With Morashci adding the side’s second goal after being rewarded for his brilliant inside 50 tackle - and Daniels lively across half forward - the GIANTS fought their way back into the contest to trail by just 13 at the first break despite the Tiger’s hot start. 

The GIANTS continued where they left off in the second term and despite giving up the first goal of the quarter inside the opening three minutes, were able to keep the Tigers goalless for the remainder of the term while kicking three of their own as Phoenix Gothard caught fire.  

Returning after two weeks out with an adductor injury, Gothard showed his class with two clinical finishes in as many minutes early in the second term as he joined forces with Daniels, Fahey, and Harry Oliver to help the orange tsunami surge into half-time to trail by just two points. 

Unfortunately for the GIANTS, the home side saved their best for the third term as they kicked seven goals to four in the quarter to take a 28-point lead into the last break. 

The Tigers continued to thrill in the final term with four of the opening five goals - and despite some more brilliance from Gothard and a strong final quarter from youngster Ollie Hannaford - it was too little too late as the Tigers held on for an impressive 18-point win.  

Saturday’s result means the Tigers will now face either Casey or Brisbane in an elimination final next week, while the GIANTS’ VFL season is over.  

It was a tough way to end a strong 2025 VFL campaign for the GIANTS who started the season 6-0 before injuries to key personnel saw them battle hard to finish the home and away season in ninth with a 10-8 win-loss record. 

Despite the tough result there were plenty of strong performers in orange and charcoal on Saturday, with Josh Fahey (34 touches, nine marks) and Harry Oliver (31 touches, seven marks) both brilliant off half back, while Brent Daniels made a starring return from an adductor injury in a major step towards an AFL recall after collecting 27 touches, nine clearances, nine inside 50s, and six tackles to look a class above at ETU Stadium.  

Meanwhile Phoenix Gothard played arguably his best game for the club, with the first-round draft pick sparking the GIANTS throughout with passages of brilliance to finish with 19 touches and four goals as he too made a strong return from an adductor injury.  

Emerging ruck Nick Madden continued to show his immense talent against the Tigers as he finished off another promising season with 17 touches, 32 hit outs, six clearances, and three contested marks, while Billy McGee Galimberti (26 touches, seven marks) was another strong contributor down back. 

Josaia Delana (18 touches, seven clearances, six inside 50s, five tackles) also had eye-catching moments in a strong all-around game in a new role spending more time as a midfielder, while exciting utility James Leake showed his immense talent after racking up 17 touches, five clearances and four inside 50s despite playing only the second half due to his role as an emergency for the club’s AFL clash on Sunday.  

Talented young ruck Logan Smith (five touches, 10 hit outs) finished his VFL campaign with a brave effort in his role as a back-up ruck to Madden, while VFL skipper Ryan Hebron (20 touches, seven marks) gave his all as always as the GIANTS’ best tall target ahead of the footy.  

Perry Lewis-Smith (17 touches, one goal) and GIANTS Academy teenager Ethan Matthews (12 touches, one goal) also had strong moments in the tough loss. 

Jaiden Butson (10 touches, one goal) provided his usual spark, while exciting draftee Ollie Hannaford (10 touches, two goals) worked his way into the contest to finish strongly in his return from a long layoff, with the talented draftee capping off his return with a classy goal on his non-preferred left foot late in the game.  

The GIANTS will now turn their attention to the AFL side who will await the result of Wednesday night’s game between the Suns and the Bombers to determine who they face in the first week of finals in two weeks' time. 
 

VFL Wildcard Round 

GIANTS      2.1  5.5 8.8 14.14 (98) 

Tigers         4.4  5.7 12.12 17.14 (116) 

Goalkickers  

GIANTS:  Gothard 4, Birks 2, Hannaford 2, Matthews, Butson, Lugsdin, Lewis-Smith, Hamilton, Moraschi 

Tigers: Koschitzke 4, Fawcett 3, Yassine 3, Girolami 2, Green 2, Garner, Raso, Toner