It was goals galore in the VFL on Sunday as the GIANTS bounced back to their winning ways in brilliant fashion after overcoming some wayward kicking in front of goal to register an impressive 63-point win over the Kangaroos at GIANTS HQ.
Leading by just 13 at the main break despite having 13 more scoring shots, the GIANTS finally found their radar in the third term where a six-goal blitz helped catapult them to a commanding 20.22 (142) to 12.7 (79) win.
The GIANTS started red-hot on the picturesque autumn day in Sydney but failed to capitalise on their early dominance to lead by just eight points at the first break after registering eight behinds before kicking their first goal of the day through Max Gruzewski at the 20-minute mark of the first term.
It was much of the same in the second term as Robbie Chancellor’s side continued to lead most key metrics except for accuracy in front of the big sticks, with the GIANTS registering 23 scoring shots to just 10 in the opening half but failing to convert their dominance onto the scoreboard to keep the visitors well and truly in the contest.
The game finally broke open in the premiership quarter however as the GIANTS responded to conceding the opening goal of the third term with six unanswered goals to turn their eight-point lead into a 48-point advantage at the final break.
The orange tsunami continued to surge in the final term as several GIANTS capped off strong performances in a seven goal to four final quarter to claim a 10-goal win at home.
There were winners all over the ground in Sunday’s dominant display, with Kieren Briggs (26 disposals, 32 hit-outs, seven marks, six clearances, one goal) a colossus in the middle alongside Toby McMullin (29 disposals, seven clearances, five tackles) who both looked a class above as the pair pushed their cases for AFL recalls.
Conor Stone (33 disposals, 10 marks, seven inside 50s) was also prolific and eye-catching with several daring runs throughout the day, while forward trio Gruzewski (14 disposals, 10 marks, five goals), Callum Brown (23 disposals, 10 marks, four goals), and Jake Riccardi (21 disposals, seven marks, two goals) feasted up forward to combine for 11 goals in the win.
Jack Ough (30 disposals, 13 contested possessions, four clearances, one goal) was his typical classy self on the inside and finished off his day with a nice snap in the final term, while Oskar Taylor (24 disposals) and Harry Oliver (20 disposals) provided great drive off half back.
Riley Hamilton added two more goals to his tally, Joey Delana (12 disposals, five tackles, four clearances) had his moments, while teenager Ethan Matthews looked right at home despite being just 17 years old, with the GIANTS Academy star kicking a brilliant set shot goal from the boundary in the second term.
Draftee Finn Davis (18 disposals, one goal) also impressed down back and even managed to sneak forward to kick a great running goal in which he started the chain from half back.
Gun midfielder Harvey Hooper (24 disposals, five tackles) and reliable defender Louie Montgomery (18 disposals, seven marks) were fantastic again, while small forward Lachlan Grubb was dangerous at ground level to finish with two goals for the day.
The GIANTS now sit at 3-1 in the VFL ahead of a clash this Sunday with the Suns on the Gold Coast in a curtain raiser to the Expansion Cup between the AFL sides.
VFL ROUND 5
GIANTS 2.10 7.16 13.22 20.22 (142)
North Melbourne 2.2 7.3 8.4 12.7 (79)
GOALKICKERS
GIANTS: Max Gruzewski 5, Callum Brown 4, Jake Riccardi 2, Riley Hamilton 2, Lachlan Grubb 2, Finn Davis, Kieren Briggs, Jack Ough, Ethan Matthews, Ryan Hebron.
North Melbourne: Matt Whitlock 2, Sam Linder 2, Zac Banch 2, Xavier Bamert 2, James Tarrant, Oliver Lowe, Jacob Konstanty, Hugh Byrne
