The GIANTS have claimed their first win of the 2019 NEAFL season with a 38-point-win over the Gold Coast Suns at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday.

Forward Zach Sproule kicked five goals and draftee Ian ‘Bobby’ Hill made an impressive debut in the 14.10 (94) to 8.8 (56) win.

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The home side started well with the GIANTS kicking six goals, of which Sproule contributed two, to the Suns’ one in the opening term creating a 29-point buffer at the first break. 

The Suns would never recover and by three quarter time the GIANTS would nearly double that lead to 57 points.

A five goal to two final quarter the Suns’ way did reduce the deficit, but standout performances from Sproule, as well as midfielders Nick Shipley and Isaac Cumming, had the GIANTS claim their first premiership points of the season.

Debutant Hill showed glimpses of what he is capable of, with the GIANTS’ fourth pick in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft (24th overall) kicking two thrilling goals as he played 50 per cent of the match; his first since a shoulder reconstruction last year. 

GIANTS NEAFL Coach Adam Schneider said that while there were standout individual performances, the overall team effort was most pleasing.

“I’m super pleased with the boys efforts over the weekend, to bounce back after last week’s loss was very pleasing,” he said.

“I’m rapt that the boys were able to get the win on the board and kick-start our 2019 campaign.

“There were definitely some individuals that played really well but I think the most pleasing thing was that everyone contributed. It’s one of the best team games I’ve seen by the boys.” 

GIANTS 14.10 (94) def. Gold Coast Suns 8.8 (56)

Goals: Zach Sproule 5; Kieren Briggs, Bobby Hill, Aiden Bonar 2; James Peatling, Matthew McGrory, Callum Brown 1

NEAFL Head Coach Adam Schneider on the GIANTS’ AFL listed players:

Nick Shipley – 34 disposals and eight tackles
“His workrate was at the elite standard, he continued to work hard, chasing the footy and tackling. He won a lot of clearances and worked well at the stoppage. It was a very good game by Nick Shipley.”

Isaac Cumming – 33 disposals, nine marks and three tackles
“Isacc played on a wing for four quarters on the weekend and adapted to the role really, really well. His ball use is really good, and he breaks the lines by foot and a lot of his running patterns were good too.”

Xavier O’Halloran – 21 disposals, two marks and one tackle
“’X-man’ was good, he crashed and bashed and gave us first use. He won a lot of clearances and he continues to work tirelessly both ways with and without the ball. He’s building some good form.” 

Aiden Bonar – 19 disposals, two marks, six tackles and two goals
“He started really well and in the first half he was our most influential player. His attack on the footy is a given, his efforts on the day were some of the best I’ve seen. I’m very pleased with him after a quiet week last week.”

Aidan Corr – 18 disposals and six marks
“He played on a really good player in Josh Corbett and absolutely smashed him deep inside fifty, didn’t give him space to breathe so he had to push up the ground to try and chase a bit of the ball. It was good to see Aidan out there; he played his first full game in his third game of the year and it was good to see him get through the game.”

Jack Buckley – 18 disposals and eight marks
“Jack was on the wing which really suits him, I think. His ability to run up and back on the ground is sensational. He can get really deep into the 50, get into the forward line and test them, then he’s tough when he’s able to get back and help out the backline. Another good game for Jack, something we’ll look to build on.”

Zach Sproule – 15 disposals, six marks, three tackles and five goals
“’Sprouley’ benefited from one of the best team games I’ve seen. Numerous times he had really good blocks from our big guys - Flynn and Simpson - which resulted in him getting uncontested marks, and goals for us. Zach’s ability to run his opponent into the ground was one of the best parts of his game. His aggression at the ball and his marking was super impressive as well. His performance was probably a reward for the hard work that he’s put together over the past few weeks, so he’s set the benchmark for what his game looks like each week.”

Callum Brown – 13 disposals, two marks, two tackles and one goal
“I was very excited by what I saw. Cal’s ability to break tackles and shrug off defenders and his speed over his first five metres is extremely quick. He’s a very quick learner from what I’ve seen so far. He got plenty of the ball on the weekend and kicked a goal and had a few opportunities more opportunities as well which is really good to see.” 

Matt Flynn – 11 disposals, one mark and one tackle
“’Flynny’ is improving each week, he’s still not quite back to his form of last year where he was taking contested marks around the ground, but he is working very hard at it. He was really good in the ruck contest, he’s great as he gives out ‘mids’ first use. He was better this week and I think he’ll keep on building on it each week.” 

Jake Stein – 10 disposals and four marks
“Jake was very solid down back; he didn’t give his man an inch and kept him goalless when he was playing on him. He tirelessly worked and is very hard to play on. He’s been in really good form this year and after an okay week last week, he bounced back this week.”

Bobby Hill – Eight disposals, one mark, one tackle and two goals
“There were a couple of moments of Bobby’s brilliance out there and I think we’re all a bit excited by what we’ve seen so far on the training track, but to see him in a game was super. He only played 50 per cent of game time which was scheduled but he kicked two brilliant goals through goal sense and his speed. It’s very exciting for him, but what impressed me most is that he really knows where to go on the footy field. He rocks up front and square tirelessly and his defensive pressure is super. If he gets that right each week he’ll get a lot more of the footy and we’ll see a lot of brilliant stuff from Bobby when he gets the ball.”

Kieren Briggs – Six disposals, two marks, two tackles and two goals
“An okay day for Kieren, his ability to launch into a pack is super. When he plays big and really tears packs apart, he can break a game open. He’s not far away from doing that and his competitiveness is great. Once he puts it all together he really will put his mark on the game. He worked hard during the game and while it didn’t quite fall his way possession wise, he did some stuff that was recognised.”

Connor Idun – Five disposals and two marks
“Connor is a bull down back, he really is. If you line up next to him, you know you’re in for a tough day. He played on Ben King who was one of Gold Coast’s high draft picks and King was barely sighted all day. One-on-one Connor’s very strong and very quick, he’s a very hard match-up. Again, he’s just building each week, which is great to see, and as I’ve said before if he continues like this he’ll be ready for AFL football really shortly.” 

Dawson Simpson – Four disposals and four tackles
“Dawson won over forty hit-outs and did really well around the ground this week. He followed his ruck work and made sure he had an influence, giving our midfielders first use and while the stats won’t show it a lot of the team stuff he did was sensational. He looked after our midfielders, helped them out and his leadership is like we’ve got another coach out there. I was really pleased with his game.”