The GIANTS’ four-game winning streak in the NEAFL has come to an end with the ladder-leading Brisbane Lions recording a comfortable 49 point win at GIANTS Stadium on Sunday.
Despite the 8.7 (55) to 15.14 (104) defeat, the GIANTS will be buoyed by the performances of forward Bobby Hill, ruck Matt Flynn and midfielder Jye Caldwell.
Hill was electric at times for the GIANTS, collecting 19 disposals and kicking two goals as the GIANTS got within 23 points of the Lions during the third quarter, while Flynn continued his strong vein of form winning 32 hitouts in a fascinating battle with Brisbane’s Archie Smith.
Flynn – who was close to an AFL debut after being named as an emergency for the senior team on Friday – also collected 18 disposals, took seven marks and had a team-high six inside 50s.
Caldwell, the GIANTS’ first pick in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft, showed positive signs racking up 21 disposals and laying six tackles in his first game since round eight.
“The result definitely wasn’t what we were after, Brisbane are a very good team and in some strong form, so we know it was going to be a tough day at the office,” GIANTS NEAFL coach Adam Schneider said.
“I was pretty pleased that our boys fought it out to the end and didn’t give up.
“We made some mistakes early on that let them get off to a flying start and we couldn’t keep up after that.”
With the GIANTS naming just 10 AFL-listed players, a number of Academy players got the chance to impress with Western Sydney’s James Peatling showing promise off the half-back line.
Fellow New South Wales product Nick Murray – the brother of Collingwood’s Sam Murray – kicked three goals during an impressive stint up forward.
“Nick’s played most of his career down back and we decided to put him forward as we know he’s a big body who loves to fly and attack the contest,” Schnieder said.
“He did that for us and had four shots on goal kicking three, which was great to see for a young guy playing his first official NEAFL game for us.”
GIANTS 1.2, 3.4, 7.5, 8.7 (55)
Brisbane 6.3, 9.7, 12.10, 15.14 (104)
Goals
GIANTS: Murray 3; Hill 2; Idun, Bonar, Dunkley 1.
NEAFL coach Adam Schneider on the GIANTS’ AFL listed players:
Jye Caldwell – 21 disposals, six tackles
“Jye’s had a frustrating year getting his body right but it was great to see him back out there running around and playing football. He was a little bit rusty early but we expected that after so long out. There were a couple of little fumbles here and there but as the game went on he showed us plenty. I’m really excited as to what the future holds for Jye. He’s a class above on the inside and has elite hands, he just needs some continuity.”
Aiden Bonar – 18 disposals, four marks, five tackles, three inside 50s, one goal
“We know he loves the contest on the inside, he didn’t have his best day but when he’s in a mood he’s pretty hard to stop. He’s been working on his game this year and while it wasn’t his greatest game he fought pretty hard on the inside.”
Matt Buntine – 16 disposals, six marks, three tackles
“Bunts was super for us, again he was Mr Reliable for us down back. He tried to solve a lot of problems and, with Brisbane being so strong and having over 70 inside 50s, I thought he was super for us, didn’t give up and competed all day. His leadership was fantastic for our younger guys down back.”
Matt Flynn – 18 disposals, seven marks, three tackles, 32 hitouts, six inside 50s
“Flynny’s challenge is to be consistent week in, week out. His last few weeks have been the best of his career I believe. On the weekend he wasn’t as good as he has been, but he still had a good game. He’ll be a little disappointed but I felt he still had a huge impact for us around the ground he took some super marks and split some big packs.”
Kieren Briggs – seven disposals, two marks, three tackles, 12 hitouts
“It was a quiet day for Kieren. It was tough against some quality backs, it wasn’t coming into the forward line like we’d prefer so we put him down back in the second half to let him throw his big body around which let him come into the game and he was also our second ruck. He’s great for us in the ruck when he runs and jumps, he’s just got to work on his follow up.”
Nick Shipley – 24 disposals, two marks, nine tackles, three inside 50s
“Shipley worked for us all day. His work rate around the stoppage was super, similar to Bonar he’s working on both sides of his game and we’re just trying to see him improve each week in that area.”
Bobby Hill – 19 disposals, one mark, two tackles, four inside 50s, two goals
“He’s a serious talent and very exciting with ball in hand. All we need is for him to keep on focussing on his defensive pressure because his offence can come off the back of that. He wasn’t quite as good as the previous week but he still did plenty for us around the footy. He did a lot of hard stuff which is great to see from a small body and we threw him in the midfield to get a bit of experience. He kicked a great goal and gave us an even better celebration.”
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Connor Idun – 15 disposals, seven marks, one tackle, one goal
“Connor comes into my office each week and put his magnet at full forward. He was doing a good job at full back – he’s tough and still has a bit to learn – but we put him up forward to swap with Kieren Briggs and we just wanted him to compete down forward and he did just that and he was rewarded with a goal.”
Jake Stein – 19 disposals, six marks, four tackles
“He’s had a fantastic year, you can’t fault his year. Again his consistency is what he’s working on and now he’s a super defender who is hard to play on. His difference between his good games and his average games isn’t too big because he’s not having too many average games. On the weekend I thought he was good in a few areas but disappointing in some little areas, but again his defence with the amount of entries Brisbane had I thought he was one of our better players.”
Callum Brown – 12 disposals, five marks, two tackles
“Cal took a hanger and we’ve seen some serious talent from Cal and had a glimpse of what might be on the horizon. Now he’s starting to clunk his marks. Down back has been good for him and he’s really helping us.”
