While the day was dampened by a serious knee injury to star Tom Green, there was still plenty of positives to come out of Friday’s intra-club match sim at GIANTS HQ, with Clayton Oliver starring, Brent Daniels showing signs of his best, and a hulking youngster dominating as the GIANTS ramped up their pre-season preparations. 

Playing six 15-minute periods at GIANTS HQ, Adam Kingsley’s men were split into two equally talented sides, with the likes of Lachie Whitfield, Connor Idun and Oliver leading the orange side, while Aaron Cadman, Daniels and Jake Stringer headlined the white team. 

Despite missing Toby Greene, Sam Taylor, Jesse Hogan, Lachie Ash, and Stephen Coniglio due to Origin duties, nearly the entire GIANTS squad took part in Friday’s intense hit-out as the GIANTS turned up the heat ahead of their match simulation against the Pies on Friday, February 20 in Bundoora, Victoria.

MOUNT MADDEN 

One of the stories of the day was the dominant form of emerging ruck, Nick Madden. 

Playing predominantly up forward, the hulking 21-year-old ruckman finished the day with 5.1 and took multiple contested grabs in an eye-catching display ahead of the footy. 

Kicking four goals inside the first 60 minutes of play, Madden capped off his day with his fifth major to start the final quarter after converting a brilliant set shot tight on the boundary line. 

Having played three games last year after making his debut in round 13 against Port Adelaide, Madden’s superb performance on Friday comes following a huge summer on the track as he looks to push for more senior opportunities in 2026.  

CLINICAL CLARRY 

While Madden stole the show up forward, boom recruit Clayton Oliver quietly went about his business in the middle of the ground as he racked up possessions at will to show he’s ready to make a big impact in his new colours in 2026. 

Playing in his customary role as an inside mid, Oliver was on from the get-go, claiming the first clearance of the day to set the tone for a strong showing as he moved around the ground well and continued to get his hands on the footy. 

Providing a glimpse of how dynamic their partnership could be, Oliver combined brilliantly with fellow star onballer Tom Green across the first half of the match sim before Green went down with his knee injury.  

Meanwhile the club’s other off-season recruit also fit in seamlessly in Friday’s match sim, with former Bomber Jayden Laverde solid behind the ball as he looks to become a permanent fixture in the GIANTS backline this season. 

ROWSTON IS READY 

Last year Harry Rowston had a breakout campaign which saw the youngster enter the AFL side in round 14 for his first senior game in almost two years before going on to play in nine straight games.  

The talented midfielder – who has been one of the shining lights on the track across the pre-season – was everywhere in Friday’s match sim, finding plenty of the footy and running on top of the ground to play a huge role in the GIANTS’ orange tsunami playing style. 

If Green’s knee injury is as worse as feared, then Rowston is one who is primed to make the most of more opportunities in the GIANTS midfield in 2026.  

BINGA IS BACK 

Known affectionately as ‘Binga’, Brent Daniels recently told GIANTS Media that he’s hoping to bounce back to his best in 2026 after a horrid run with injuries and if Friday’s match sim is anything to go by then GIANTS fans should be excited about the return of the star forward. 

Playing across half forward and on ball, Daniels kicked a trademark clever snap goal and was at his zippy and creative best throughout Friday’s session to remind everyone why he’s considered one of the league’s best small forwards. 

After playing just six games last year due to injury, Daniels is still working his way back to full fitness following off-season surgery but is starting to show exciting signs of returning to his 2024 form which saw him named in his maiden 40-man All-Australian squad.   

EXCITING YOUNGSTERS 

Others to make strong impressions in the club’s lengthy match-sim were a host of emerging youngsters, with Harvey Thomas, Joe Fonti, Josaia Delana and James Leake all having strong moments throughout as they push their case for Opening Round.  

Thomas in particular used his class and smarts to full effect, while Delana showed off his stronger frame after another summer on the track as he looks to build on his three games in his debut season.  

UNTAPPED TALENT 

The next wave of young talent also did their stocks no harm in Friday’s hit-out, with the likes of Jack Ough, Ollie Hannaford, Phoenix Gothard, Logan Smith, and draftee Oskar Taylor all contributing throughout.  

All yet to debut at AFL level, the young cohort all showed off their weapons at times on Friday as each of them looks to make their AFL debut dreams become a reality in 2026. 

LETHAL LACHIE 

One of the league’s best rebounding defenders and one of just three two-time Kevin Sheedy Medallists, Whitfield is showing no signs of slowing down in 2026 after another red-hot summer on the track. 

With his running sidekick Lachie Ash absent due to Origin, Whitfield was forced to pick up the slack as the main attacking weapon off half-back in Friday’s match sim and he sure didn’t disappoint. 

Racking up disposals at will, the dashing defender used his silky skills and creativity on countless occasions throughout the session to show there’s still plenty of gas left in the tank for the 257-game veteran.  

The next phase of their pre-season preparations will see the GIANTS head south to take on the Magpies at La Trobe University in the Melbourne suburb of Bundoora on Friday, February 20 at 11am.