A clutch goal from Riley Hamilton deep into time and some final-quarter brilliance from Harvey Hooper and Ollie Hannaford saw the GIANTS register a thrilling three-point win over the Zebras at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval in Sandringham on Sunday.
On a day where the Zebras were celebrating the 20-year reunion of their 2006 VFL flag, the GIANTS spoiled the home side’s party with a gutsy final-quarter comeback which saw Robbie Chancellor’s side snatch back the lead with just minutes to spare before holding on for a nail-biting 13.9 (87) to 12.12 (84) win on the road.
After leading marginally at both of the first two breaks, the GIANTS found themselves trailing by 13 early in the final term after the Zebras kicked back-to-back goals in quick succession to set Trevor Barker Beach Oval alight.
In need of some heroics, up entered Hooper (27 disposals, one goal) and Hannaford (24 disposals, six tackles, five clearances, 3.2), with the help of some teammates, as the orange tsunami began to surge to set up a grandstand finish.
While it didn’t always result in a goal, Hooper and Hannaford were involved in everything across the final 20 minutes, with the unlikely duo continually putting the GIANTS in a position to take down the Zebras on their own deck.
The duo’s clutch final term started with some brilliance from Hooper who first found Hannaford inside 50, but this time the exciting youngster was unable to capitalise as he pushed his set shot to the right.
Seconds later it was Hooper yet again who this time took things into his own hands after snapping a clever goal in traffic to cut the lead to four.
Riley Dillon then got in on the action as he got on the end of a handball chain to stream through the 50-metre arc and kick truly as the GIANTS snatched back the lead at the 15-minute mark of the final term.
The orange tsunami was officially surging when play resumed as Hannaford took a brilliant diving mark from a quick kick inside 50 and then banged home his third goal of the day to give the GIANTS three goals in three minutes and an eight-point lead.
The GIANTS’ surge was temporarily put to a halt however, as the Zebras pegged one back before adding another at the 26-minute mark to give Sandy a four-point lead with only minutes remaining.
With the stage set, the GIANTS surged forward through a clinical hit-out from Callum Brown to a streaming Hooper who got it forward where Hannaford won a ground ball and gave it to Ryan Hebron whose snap towards goal was marked tight on the goal line by Hamilton.
Up against the boundary on a tight angle and with the game ultimately on his boot, Hamilton showed off the ice in his veins to run around and snap truly at the 28-minute mark to give the GIANTS the lead and silence the home crowd with a customary goal celebration.
With the clock ticking over 30 minutes, the Zebras gave it one last hoorah and surged it forward but ran out of time as the siren sounded to give the GIANTS a thrilling three-point win on the road.
Fielding just six AFL-listed GIANTS in the side, Sunday’s gutsy win saw the GIANTS move to 5-2 on the season to sit fourth on the VFL ladder.
As well as Hooper and Hannaford, the GIANTS had plenty of winners across the ground against the Zebras, with Jack Ough (39 disposals, 19 contested possessions, nine tackles) starring once again as he set a new VFL career-high just a week after tying his previous best of 36 disposals last week.
Brown (18 disposals, eight marks, 15 hit outs, three goals) was another huge contributor across the ground playing both up forward and as the backup ruckman.
As well as his match-winning goal, and of course a customary goal celebration, Hamilton (10 disposals, four marks, two goals) also continued his impressive goal streak on Sunday, with the dynamic forward now registering multiple goals in all seven VFL games this season.
Oskar Taylor (27 disposals, seven intercepts) and Conor Stone (26 disposals, five marks) were also strong in the win, while Jaxon East (32 disposals, six tackles, eight clearances) played his best game for the club in a huge performance from the former Ovens and Murray star.
Louie Montgomery (21 disposals, seven marks) also continued his fantastic VFL season, while star midfielder James Bell (19 disposals, eight tackles) was a much-welcomed addition to the side after returning from a back issue to resume his stellar 2026 campaign.
Lachlan Grubb (two goals) also provided a spark up forward with crucial back-to-back goals in the third term.
The GIANTS will now look to consolidate their top four spot when they welcome the Lions to ENGIE Stadium on Sunday in a clash to be played following the AFL encounter between the clubs.
VFL ROUND 8
Zebras 2.3. 4.7 8.11 12.12 (84)
GIANTS 3.1 6.2. 9.4 13.9 (87)
GOALKICKERS
Zebras: Lachlan Voss 3, Noah Yze 2, Andreas Stefanakis 2, Jack Ferraro 2, Blake Watson, Bode Stevens, Darcy Chirgwin
GIANTS: Callum Brown 3, Ollie Hannaford 3, Riley Hamilton 2, Lachlan Grubb 2, Ryan Hebron, Harvey Hooper, Riley Dillon
