The GIANTS have moved into the top four of the NEAFL after recording a 43-point win over the Gold Coast Suns on Saturday.
Dylan Buckley and Daniel Lloyd kicked three goals each as Jackson Hately again featured prominently in the GIANTS’ 11.19 (85) to 6.6 (42) victory.
The GIANTS kept Gold Coast scoreless in the opening quarter and wouldn’t surrender the lead for the remainder of the game.
GIANTS Academy players Tom Green and Ed Perryman (brother of Harry Perryman) were both busy for the GIANTS collecting 28 and 27 disposals respectively, but it was Hately who led the way in the midfield with 30 disposals, eight tackles, seven marks and a goal.
The GIANTS laid 97 tackles in a heavily contested game while ruck Matt Flynn put in his best performance for the season gathering 21 disposals.
The GIANTS take on the Swans at Blacktown International Sportspark at 10:30am in round 10 on Sunday, June 9.
GIANTS 4.4, 7.9, 9.15, 11.19 (85)
Def.
Gold Coast 0.0, 2.3, 5.4, 6.6 (42)
Goals: D. Buckley, Lloyd 3; Green, Flynn, Hately, Briggs, Buntine 1.
GIANTS NEAFL Coach Adam Schneider on the GIANTS’ AFL Listed Players:
Jackson Hately – 30 disposals, seven marks, eight tackles, one goal
“Jackson’s performance was very pleasing. He had a good battle with Will Brodie, who is a very strong and tough inside mid from Gold Coast. He had 30 disposals and his efforts at the stoppage were at AFL standard, so I was very happy for him.”
Daniel Lloyd – 23 disposals, seven marks, nine tackles, three goals
“Lloydy was impressive to come back the way he did with 23 touches, three goals and nine scoring involvements. His leadership was super and he was tough when he needed to be and was good when he had ball in hand. It was a top game, he was one of our best players on the day.”
Matt Buntine – 22 disposals, nine marks, six tackles, one goal
“He’s one of those guys you’d go to war with any day. He took nine uncontested marks, had a lot of the footy and led down back like the good captain he is. The best thing I liked about his game was that he was able to sneak forward and kick a goal right towards the end and teach our forwards a thing or two.”
Xavier O’Halloran – 22 disposals, six marks, eight tackles
“Really good game from Xavier, his work rate was outstanding, a lot of his defensive running patterns – which we’ve been working on closely – were starting to show through. His aggression around the stoppage was great. Another solid game form Xavier who is improving every week.”
Nick Shipley – 21 disposals, seven marks, nine tackles
“A little bit quieter this week for Shipley, he was a bit down on the standard he set over the last year. He laid a few tackles and got involved where he could and ran the game out really well like he always does.”
Matt Flynn – 21 disposals, three marks, two tackles, one goal
“Probably his best game of the year for us. 21 disposals, kicked a goal and had nine scoring involvements as well as six clearances. The most pleasing thing for the big ruckman was his tap work and his follow up work when the ball was on the deck. It’s something he’s been working on for a while and he put it together for four quarters.”
Jake Stein – 18 disposals, eight marks, six tackles
“He faced a really big challenge with a good match up on Sam Day for them in the backline and he didn’t let him get a metre all day and battled really hard. He laid six tackles which is his highest for the year and to have 17 kicks was really good as we wanted him to get a bit more aggressive with the ball. We’re really happy with his efforts.”
Aiden Bonar – 18 disposals, two marks, 10 tackles
“A quiet day for Aiden on the weekend, he looked a little tired on the day but managed to find a way inside. He was an absolute bull laying ten tackles and he’ll be very sore afterwards. After last week, he was pretty quiet but no doubt he’ll bounce back next week.”
Dylan Buckley – 14 disposals, two marks, two tackles, three goals
“He was great for us, kicking 3.2. He’s a real opportunist, with ball in hand he looks really dangerous and he’s hard to keep a hold of because he’s so fast so it’s great to see him play well in his second game back. In a couple of weeks, he’ll be putting his hand up for the AFL I imagine.”
Callum Brown – 13 disposals, three marks
“Cal Brown had a new role on the weekend we put him down in the back pocket to let him follow his opponent and let him learn more about the game. He did really well and his speed off the half-back was outstanding. No-one was beating him back towards goal, so just a little learning game for Cal and I’m seeing that each week he’s picking up the game really fast.”
Jack Buckley – 12 disposals, four marks, two tackles
“A tough day for Jack on the wing, he was a little bit quieter than he has been. His running patterns on the outside were fantastic but with such a contested game where we laid 97 and the ball didn’t get into space too much. The game didn’t suit his style that much, but still a solid contribution from Jack."
Kieren Briggs – 12 disposals, four marks, two tackles, one goal
“Briggsy was a bit quieter too, he took a few marks but again the ball coming into him wasn’t super and didn’t give him much of a chance one-on-one, but he hit the scoreboard and had six score involvements as well.”
Zac Langdon – 12 disposals, four marks, eight tackles
“Zac’s work rate is outstanding, it was a tough day for a small forward, he didn’t get a lot of the footy and he missed his opportunities in front of goal. The thing Zac does bring each week is his relentless pressure and to lay eight tackles as a small forward is a great effort. Six of those were in the forward 50 and he definitely did his role in the forward line. I’d like to see him get a bit more of the ball and impact the scoreboard as well.
Ian Hill – 11 disposals, four marks, two tackles
“It was Bobby’s quietest game all year this week. Again he’s so damaging normally with ball in hand but he was a bit fumbly when he had his opportunities. It was a quieter game but I think it was a one off and this week I’m looking forward to watching him as I think he’ll bounce back. I’d hate to be playing on him.”
Dawson Simpson – 10 disposals, two marks, six tackles
“Dawson makes our younger guys in the midfield stand tall, he’s fantastic in helping them get organised so it’s like having another coach out there at times. His ruck work was super and he’s giving our boys first use and his follow up work was fantastic too.”
Connor Idun – Eight disposals, one mark, one tackle
“Connor didn’t get much of the footy this week, he beat his player but the challenge now is for him to have both sides of their game at his best. We’d like to see him beat his man – like he did on the weekend – and get the ball in hand and run and drive with his legs because he’s very fast. He had a really solid game and his player had no impact on the game.”
