Plenty of GIANTS put their hand up for AFL selection with strong performances in the club’s impressive 56-point VFL win on the Gold Coast on Sunday.
Played as a curtain raiser to the Expansion Cup, the GIANTS overcame a slow start with a particularly dominant second half to surge to a commanding 21.8 (134) to 11.12 (78) win.
Up by 15 points at the half despite giving up a fast start to the Suns, the GIANTS went to another gear after the main break where they piled on 10 goals to three en route to a comfortable 10-goal win on the road.
There were stars across the board for the GIANTS in the big win, with Harry Rowston (33 disposals, six tackles, one goal), Jack Ough (31 disposals, eight tackles, four clearances), and Toby McMullin (28 disposals, eight tackles, seven clearances, one goal) finding plenty of footy to push their cases for AFL selection.
Meanwhile up forward it was Max Gruzewski (18 disposals, eight marks, 4.2) who continued his strong VFL form with four more majors alongside dynamic draftee Riley Hamilton (12 disposals, six marks, 3.1) who has now kicked multiple goals in all five VFL games this year after adding another three on Sunday.
Jake Riccardi (26 disposals, 10 marks, five clearances, one goal) was solid in the ruck where he found plenty of the footy around the ground, as did Harry Oliver (23 disposals) and Conor Stone (20 disposals, six marks) in their roles, while promising draftee Oskar Taylor (26 disposals, six intercepts) continued his development with arguably his best game for the club.
Harvey Hooper (18 disposals, three goals) and Louie Montgomery (20 disposals, three goals) were others to shine as they continue to be huge contributors at VFL level, while Sam McMeeken (14, two goals) made the most of some rare opportunities ahead of the ball with two majors.
Nick Kelly (19 disposals, seven intercepts) led the side in intercept possessions as he continues to impress down back, while skipper Ryan Hebron celebrated his birthday with two goals to go along with the win.
Despite the strong result it wasn’t looking good early for the GIANTS after they conceded the opening three goals of the game inside eight minutes as the home side came out firing.
Robbie Chancellor’s men responded strongly however with some dominant footy of their own, kicking five of the next seven goals – including back-to-back majors to Hamilton - to deadlock the scores at 5.3 (33) apiece at the first break following an enthralling 10-goal opening term.
The orange tsunami continued to surge in the second term where birthday boy Hebron kicked his second after selling some candy to make it four GIANTS goals in a nine-minute stretch in the middle of the term.
While the Suns continued to stay in the contest with three goals of their own in the term, the GIANTS continued to be efficient going forward, with McMullin finishing off some brilliant team play with a goal before Gruzewski kicked his second in the shadows of half-time to give the GIANTS a 15-point lead at the main break.
After conceding the opening goal of the third term the GIANTS ramped up the intensity for the remainder of the premiership quarter, holding the home side goalless while kicking four of their own through McMeeken, Riccardi, Montgomery, and Hooper to give them a 32-point lead at the final change.
With their tails up, the GIANTS continued to shine against the Suns in the final term, kicking six goals to two to cruise to a comfortable win – and their fourth in five games.
The GIANTS now sit second on the VFL table at 4-1 on the season with a healthy percentage of 138.7. They will now face the Bombers on Sunday morning at Tom Wills Oval.
VFL ROUND 6
GIANTS 5.3 11.4 15.6 21.8 (134)
Suns 5.3 8.7 9.10 11.12 (78)
GOALKICKERS
GIANTS: Max Gruzewski 4, Louie Mongomery 3, Harvey Hooper 3, Riley Hamilton 3, Sam McMeeken 2, Ryan Hebron 2, Harry Rowston, Jake Riccardi, Toby McMullin, Declan Fitzgerald
Suns: Miles Enders 2, Asher Eastham 2, Jed Walter, David Swallow, Lucas Snowball, Jake Rogers, Jai Murray, Zak Evans, Cooper Bell
