After nearly three months on the sidelines, GIANTS co-captain Phil Davis made his long awaited return to football after seriously injuring his kidney in the first round of the season.
 
Davis got through his comeback game in the NEAFL unscathed and played a big role in the UWS GIANTS’ 104-point victory over NT Thunder at Spotless Stadium.
 
The defender played a full match across halfback, accumulating 20 possessions, nine marks and even pushed forward to kick a goal in the final term.
 
“I was really anxious and nervous before the game but it was great to run around again,” Davis said.
 
“Until I got here and warmed up it didn’t feel like I had a game because it’s felt like such a long way away, for such a long period of time.
 
“Everything was great, the old legs weren’t running as well as they were before I hurt myself but no issues with the kidney at all.”
 
Davis said he planned to train hard this week and push for senior selection when the GIANTS clash with Brisbane next Saturday night.
 
UWS GIANTS coach Brett Hand was impressed with Davis’ fitness and work-rate after missing such a long period of football.
 
“It was great to see him get through a full game and compete well from start to finish,” Hand said.
 
“He was physical around the ball and had some good one on one contests with his opponent.”
 
Hand also praised young midfielder Josh Kelly who played a starring role for the UWS GIANTS after missing last weekwith an eye injury.
 
“Josh was outstanding the entire match with his ball use and ability to run to the right spots,” Hand said.
 
“He had 14 touches in the first quarter and was dangerous up forward for us as well.”
 
Kelly finished the match with 43 touches, 11 marks and four goals in a best on ground performance.
 
After taking a narrow lead into the quarter time break the UWS GIANTS ran over their opponents, dominating contested possession and clearances around the ground.
 
Midfielders Tom Bugg, Jono O’Rourke and Mark Whiley all had solid games while Tom Boyd led the charge up forward, kicking four goals.
 
James Stewart, Dylan Addison and Jon Giles also contributed, kicking three goals apiece.
 
The UWS GIANTS head north to play Brisbane Reserves next Saturday in a curtain raiser to the GIANTS vs Lions match at The Gabba.

UWS GIANTS 23.16 (154) def NT Thunder 7.8 (50)

BEST:
Kelly, Bugg, Davis, Plowman, Addison, Stewart, Boyd

GOALS: Kelly, Boyd 4, Giles, Stewart, Addison 3, Hunt 2, Barrett, Davis, Downie, Golds 1.