The GIANTS were unable to overcome an incredibly hot start from Frankston who used a blistering open term to help set up a 64-point win at Kinetic Stadium in the VFL on Sunday afternoon.
After the GIANTS kicked the opening goal of the game it was all red, white and black for the next 25 minutes as the Dolphins’ incredible efficiency inside 50 saw them pile on eight unanswered goals to take a commanding 44-point lead into the first break.
The Dolphins made the most of nearly every opportunity going forward in the red-hot opening term, with the home side registering 11 scores – eight of which were goals – from just 13 inside 50s to set up a match-winning lead.
Highlighting the Dolphins’ potency going forward, the GIANTS remarkably had more inside 50s for almost the entire first quarter until Frankston got the edge late in the term, with the GIANTS able to manage just 1.1 from their 12 inside 50s in stark contrast to the clinical Dolphins.
While the GIANTS lifted after their slow start, and were able to cool Frankston down somewhat, it was too little too late as the Dolphins never looked back from their opening quarter blitz to run out 20.11 (131) to 9.13 (67) winners at home.
Adding to a tough result was a pair of injuries to two of the side’s best this season, with Louie Montgomery going down early in the clash with a hamstring injury while star midfielder James Bell hurt his ankle in the third term, with the extent of the injuries to be confirmed in the coming days.
Despite the end result it was the GIANTS who landed the first blow on Sunday via Bell who sailed one through from 40m out to give the visitors the early momentum.
That lead was short-lived however as the Dolphins kicked the next eight majors of the quarter and the first two of the second term to make it 10 unanswered goals in a brilliant 30 minutes of footy.
Toby McMullin – who was classy throughout with 22 disposals, four clearances and a goal – snapped a brilliant and much-needed goal late in the second term which saw the GIANTS limit the damage of the Dolphins to much better effect, with the home side extending their lead by just two points in the term to hold a 46-point lead at the main break.
The third quarter was a stronger one for the GIANTS despite the loss of Bell, with Robbie Chancellor’s side kicking four goals to three as they refused to surrender in order to give themselves a slight chance of a remarkable comeback.
Hugo Birks (13 disposals, six marks, two goals) kicked both of his goals in the improved third term, Harvey Hooper (27 disposals, 13 inside 50s, eight marks, five clearances, one goal) added a classy goal in another brilliant outing, while Tom Hitchens (12 disposals, five tackles, one goal) also booted an important goal in the quarter as the GIANTS cut the lead to 39 at the last change.
Young forward Riley Dillon (12 disposals, five marks, four tackles) then gave the GIANTS a spark to start the final term with two of the opening three goals of the quarter to cut the lead to 32 with plenty of time left on the clock.
Unfortunately for the GIANTS, that was as close as they would get as the absence of Montgomery and Bell appeared to take its toll.
The Dolphins ran out the game far better, kicking six of the final seven goals to register a strong win at home.
Despite the tough loss there were several strong performances, with Hooper and McMullin leading the way alongside James Leake (22 disposals, six marks, three clearances) who spent more time in the middle after Bell went down.
Kye Pfrengle (22 disposals, 11 marks, five intercepts) and Nick Kelly (18 disposals, five marks, eight intercepts) continued their strong seasons down back, with Kelly in particular brilliant in the opening minutes of the game before the Dolphins started to surge.
Finn Davis (21 disposals, five marks) was also a key contributor in his return from a quad injury, registering an equal game-high nine intercepts, while Harry Oliver (17 disposals, seven intercepts) was everywhere before sitting out the second half as an emergency for the AFL side.
Oskar Taylor (17 disposals) continued to provide drive out of defence, Lachlan McArthur (17 disposals, six intercepts, six marks, three tackles) was another solid performer, while Birks and Dillon led the way up forward.
After Sunday’s loss the GIANTS now sit in fifth spot on the VFL ladder ahead of a huge VFL Sydney Derby against the Swans (fourth) on Saturday afternoon.
The game will serve as a curtain raiser to the monster AFL clash between the GIANTS and the Swans at ENGIE Stadium.
VFL ROUND 17
Frankston 8.3 10.5 13.9 20.11 (131)
GIANTS 1.1 2.7 6.12 9.13 (67)
GOALKICKERS
Frankston: Cade Foster 6, Corey Ellison 5, Bailey Lambert 3, Jackson Voss 2, Tarkyn O’Leary, Trent Mynott, Darby Hipwell, Ben Fergusson
GIANTS: Hugo Birks 2, Riley Dillon 2, James Bell, Toby McMullin, Harvey Hooper, Brody Kane, Tom Hitchens
