Israel Folau made a welcome return to football taking to the field for the UWS GIANTS against the Sydney Swans in Saturday night's curtain raiser at ANZ Stadium.
The GIANTS were again understrength with the club calling upon nine-top up players from the Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy, going down to the Swans by 87 points.
In a positive for the club, Folau was lively throughout the game and shook off any injury concerns to put in a strong showing, which included several possessions and a goal.
Folau took part in about 70 percent of the game, and his return was closely managed given his lack of recent match practice. He sparked the GIANTS in the third term, as they kicked three goals straight, with Folau’s hard ball get allowing Gerald Ugle to gain possession and setup Logan Austin, who kicked an impressive goal from beyond fifty.
Folau then kicked the GIANTS fourth goal after some nice crumbing work to run into the goal square unopposed. He spoke to the GIANTS website after the game and said he was glad to be back out on the field and that the game was a great hit out as he looks to build back up to full fitness.
“It felt good being back out there, I was just excited to be out there playing again with all the boys. I’ve been out for five weeks, so its just good to run around and play footy again,” said Folau.
“I was cramping a little bit, but I actually felt pretty good considering I was out for that long. That’s just me getting back into my game fitness and hopefully it will only take me another week or two to get back to full fitness. I was pretty excited at the start of the week to get out there and play and I felt pretty good out there, so I just hope to build slowly on today’s performance."
GIANTS Head Coach Kevin Sheedy said Folau was a good chance to return to the seniors in the next couple of weeks after missing a month through hamstring and back problems.
Other highlights for the GIANTS was the form of Andrew Phillips, who was the GIANTS best, and was strong in the ruck as well as in the GIANTS forward line, managing a goal.
Sam Frost continued his good recent form in the NEAFL, finding himself amongst the GIANTS best yet again, as did Mark Whiley who has been solid in recent weeks.
Gerald Ugle was impressive around the ground, as was Nick Haynes, who capped off his effort with an eye-catching goal late in the piece. Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy member, Matthew Eastman also found himself amongst the GIANTS best as he showcased his potential with an impressive performance.
The GIANTS travel to the Gold Coast next Sunday to meet the Gold Coast Suns at Metricon Stadium at 11am.
Quarter Time – SWANS 5.8 38 – GIANTS 1.1. 7
Half Time – SWANS 9.14 68 – GIANTS 2.3 15
Three Quarter Time – SWANS 13.19 97– GIANTS 6.6 36
FINAL – SWANS 18.21 129- GIANTS 6.6 42
Goals – Logan, Thomas, Folau, Green, Haynes, Phillips
Best- Eastman, Haynes, Ugle, Whiley, Frost, Phillips
