The GIANTS were brave but were ultimately unable to overcome a monster third term from Williamstown to go down by 10 points in tough conditions in the VFL on Saturday.
Played in customary blustery conditions favouring one end at DSV Stadium, the GIANTS found themselves up by 21 points at the main break before the home side piled on an eight-goal blitz with the breeze in the third term to turn their deficit into a 13-point lead at the final change.
With the wind at their backs in the last quarter, the GIANTS continued to fight it out but couldn’t make the most of their chances as the stubborn Seagulls held on for a 14.9 (93) to 11.17 (83) win at home.
Kicking with the wind in the second and fourth quarters, the GIANTS made the most of the conditions early on but were unable to capitalise in the second half as the home side’s big third quarter and gritty final term saw them hold on for a gutsy win.
Fresh off the bye, it was a tough result for the GIANTS who couldn't have started any better on Saturday after James Bell flushed one on the run from 50 just 15 seconds into the clash.
After the Seagulls responded with a pair of quick goals it was the returning Max Gruzewski who levelled things up to make it two goals apiece inside the opening eight minutes of the game.
The remainder of the term saw the sides trade blows, with Lachlan Grubb and Harvey Hooper both kicking majors for the GIANTS who trailed by just three points after a solid opening term considering they were kicking against the strong breeze.
James Leake’s opening term was crucial to the strong start, with the versatile defender a brick wall off half back as he racked up countless intercept possessions.
The second quarter was one full of highlights for the GIANTS who despite some inaccuracy were able to capitalise on their turn with the wind to kick 3.6 while keeping the Seagulls scoreless in the term to take a 21-point lead into the main break.
A long-range bomb from the returning Cody Angove was the first of three big highlights for the term, with the talented youngster flushing one on the run from outside 50 to the delight of his teammates in what was his first game of the season following a bad hamstring injury.
Mitch Szybkowski soon added to the highlight reel with his first goal in his long-awaited GIANTS debut after recovering from a serious back injury, before VFL debutant Jerome Lawrence also kicked his first major to round out a strong first half from the GIANTS.
The orange tsunami's momentum was soon halted after the main break however as the Seagulls made the most of kicking with the wind to open the third quarter with seven unanswered goals to quickly turn their 21-point deficit into a 21-point lead of their own midway through the third term.
After missing consecutive opportunities to retaliate, the GIANTS finally responded at the 27-minute mark through a classy checkside finish from inspirational skipper Ryan Hebron to cut the lead to 12.
The GIANTS found their second moments later as the brilliance of Hooper found Riley Hamilton who sold some candy and snapped truly at the top of the goal square to cut the lead to just seven in the shadows of three-quarter-time.
The Seagulls responded though with a crucial late goal to push the lead back to 13 at the final change.
Despite their best efforts and the wind at their backs, the GIANTS were unable to capitalise in the final quarter which saw them kick 2.5 – with goals to Gruzewski and Louie Montgomery – to the Seagulls’ 2.2 as the home side held on for a 10-point win.
There were several strong performances from the GIANTS despite the loss, with Jack Ough leading the way once again with a game-high 31 disposals to go along with seven tackles and eight clearances.
Bell (24 disposals, five tackles, five clearances, nine inside 50s, one goal) also starred, particularly in the first half, with his grunt work on the inside critical to the club’s half-time lead.
Leake (22 disposals, 10 intercepts, six marks) showed once again he’s ready if called upon to return to the AFL side with another strong showing, as did Harry Rowston (22 disposals, eight tackles, three clearances).
Hooper (22 disposals, five tackles, seven score involvements, one goal) was his typically classy self, while silky left-footers Oskar Taylor (18 disposals, three tackles) and Harry Oliver (18 disposals, five tackles) provided their customary drive.
Gruzewski (18 disposals, nine marks, 2.3) led the way up forward, with Hamilton (16 disposals, 1.3) and Hebron (eight touches, 1.2) also providing constant threats throughout the day in tough and windy conditions.
Kye Pfrengle (22 disposals, nine marks, eight intercepts) and Nick Kelly (17 disposals, nine intercepts) were strong behind the ball, while Angove (15 touches, four clearances, one goal) made a strong return in limited minutes as he looks to ease his way back into action after a long layoff.
Now sitting at 6-4 on the season, the GIANTS will next face Carlton in a curtain raiser to the AFL clash between the clubs at ENGIE Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
VFL ROUND 12
Seagulls 4.5 4.5 12.7 14.9 (93)
GIANTS 4.2 7.8 9.12 11.17 (83)
GOALKICKERS
Seagulls: Heath Ollington 3, Kallan Dawson 3, Diesel Moloney 2, Josh D’Intinosante 2, Nathan Colenso 2, Josh Hamilton, Jake Greiser
GIANTS: Max Gruzewski 2, Ryan Hebron, Mitch Szybkowski, Riley Hamilton, Jerome Lawrence, Lachlan Grubb, James Bell, Louie Montgomery, Cody Angove, Harvey Hooper
