The GIANTS players not selected in the AFL side have had a successful hit-out against cross-town rivals the Swans at Tom Wills Oval.
It looks to be the first of a series of practice matches against the Swans with the NEAFL competition cancelled for 2020.
At the moment the two NSW clubs are restricted to playing practice matches against each other for their players not selected to play in the AFL.
It was a 16-a-side hit-out that spread across three 20-minute quarters with GIANTS Development Coach Luke Kelly taking the coaching reins and pleased with the performance of his side.
“It was a strong, contested hit-out with both teams playing at a pretty good pace.” Kelly said.
“It was played in the right spirit, everyone had a crack to put their hands up for senior selection.
“They were able to show the benefits of the work they did in the eight weeks off.
“Every time these boys play they’re getting closer and closer to keeping the pressure on everyone playing AFL.”
Player Summary by Development Coach Luke Kelly
Lachie Ash
“He just continued his strong development off half-back. He put together a great pre-season and had a good eight weeks off and it’s another positive step to push towards AFL at some stage this year.”
Jackson Hately
“He was strong inside, he just keeps getting better and better inside the contest. He was strong, tackled well and his hands were clean.”
Tommy Sheridan
“It was good to get a full game into him and get him to show what we know he’s capable of. He played a great role on the wing as the most senior bloke in the midfield. He was able to provide good leadership and direction and get his hands on it himself and use it as we know he can.”
Tom Green
“He responded well after missing out on senior selection this week. He took up a bit of a leadership role in the midfield early. He attacks the ball, always. He’s a strong tackler and is able to get forward as well. He’s running as well as he ever has which is a benefit of the eight weeks off.”
Zac Langdon
“Another one that fought back through being dropped and came with the right mindset. We know what we get with Zac week-in, week-out and he proved again why he’s an AFL calibre player.”
Matt Buntine
“‘Bunts’ was rock-solid and continues to show why we trust him. He’ll be pressing his case in the next few weeks.”
Lachlan Keeffe
“He’s in the Buntine mould, he played a lot of footy for us last year and continues to be a model of consistency and he’s ready to go when called upon.”
Jake Riccardi
“‘Ricca’ had about seven or eight shots on goal, and is a developing key forward that is benefiting from a good pre-season and a good eight-weeks off. If you can run as a key forward, you can create opportunities. You’d love to be playing in the midfield because every time you look up he’s coming straight at you.”
Zach Sproule
“He worked hard all day and got some benefit on the scoreboard. He’s another one who has continued to take a step after getting a taste AFL last year. He’s booming along and ready when called upon.”
Kieren Briggs
“He started slowly in the first five minutes but when he lifted, we lifted. They kicked three of the first four but he took it upon himself at the centre bounce to really lift and his follow-up around the ground was outstanding. It was great to have a big man that can join in as well as provide a contest and give our mids first-use, he just got better and better as the game went on.”
Xavier O’Halloran
“It was the best game I’ve seen him play in GIANTS colours. He has power and speed inside and he was clean. He brought teammates into it and used the footy as well as we could have asked.”
Nick Shipley
“He continues to develop into a really strong wingman for us. He does all the team things, all the one-percenters and fundamentals and he’s starting to reap the rewards on the offensive side of it. Another one that will continue to keep pressing his case as the year goes on.”
Bobby Hill
“Bobby’s probably right there on the brink for AFL selection and he brought that AFL level of intensity and work-rate. He’s benefited from the eight weeks off and is running better than he did in pre-season. If Bobby gets to more contests he has more of an impact because he’s a quality player."
Connor Idun
“Connor continues to develop down back holding up that key defensive post. He was able to play tall and small today. He organised, continues to chop out and help his teammates and is taking another step on his AFL journey.”
Jake Stein
“He had an interrupted pre-season and lead-in so he’s benefited from the eight weeks off. He’s come back in and worked well in the back group, he reads it well and can mark it and he’s one that the more footy he plays, he’ll keep pushing to get back in like he did last year.”
Jack Buckley
“He gets better and better every time he plays football. He’s running well, he’s quick, he’s clean and he’s launching at it. His ball use is getting better and better every week.”
