The Greater Western Sydney GIANTS showed outstanding character and determination against North Melbourne at Lavington Oval tonight. After struggling in the opening term the young GIANTS side fought back, equalling North Melbourne with six goals in the second half, but eventually lost by 73 points.
A line formed outside the gate into Lavington sports ground with about half an hour to go until the match began. The line lasted until the end of the first quarter as people continued to pack out the ground.
The first quarter was a tough induction for the young GIANTS squad. A fast and strong Kangaroos side left the GIANTS scoreless in the first quarter.
The GIANTS came into the second term determined to score and they didn’t have to wait long. Jarrod Harding marked the ball inside the GIANTS forward line after the first bounce, slotting the side’s first goal of the night.
Gerald Ugle kicked the GIANTS’ second goal just before the end of the first half, sending the side into the half time break trailing by 68 points.
A massive local crowd was behind the GIANTS, giving them a standing ovation as they walked into the rooms at half time.
Ben Ried opened the scoring for the GIANTS in the third quarter, which was followed by another goal from Albury local Chaz Sargent. Both players made their debut as GIANTS in tonight’s clash, helping the side gain scoring momentum in the second half of the match.
The GIANTS kicked four impressive goals in the fourth quarter, delighting the animated crowd who had come to see them play.
South Australian, Jonothan Giles began the surge of goals in the final term. Giles booted his first of two goals as he was being tackled to the ground, getting the ball to his boot just in time. Moments later, Dylan Shiel took a spectacular mark just outside of the goal square, delivering the GIANTS their second goal for the quarter. Giles then kicked his second goal before another Albury local; Dan Leslie booted the GIANTS final goal for the match.
GIANTS coach, Kevin Sheedy was impressed with his side’s performance and the learnings that tonight’s match offered a year out from their entry into the AFL in 2012.
“Week by week we get a little bit better and a little bit stronger and a little more confident.
“Achieving and setting goals here and there is really important to these young boys at the moment. Week by week all of our young kids are getting the chance of a lifetime.
“The local top-up players got an enormous amount of experience out of it and of course enjoyment. I just kept telling them to keep enjoying themselves because if you enjoy the things that you do in your life you will put your best foot forward.
“We thought we were strong, we didn’t get run over the top of, I mean I know they won by more than 10 goals but I’m not necessarily worried about that, I thought we played tough footy.
Sheedy was also enthusiastic about the crowd and the support for the GIANTS in the local area.
“The ground was fantastic and of course the fans, There were just so many of them out there, they just kept coming and coming. This is the first match we’ve played here as a club, we want to get it right, get a strong fan base here and recruit players out of here.
“The fans, they love the game. They know it was a big effort for what we want out of the boys and where we are,” Sheedy said.

Greater Western Sydney 8.2.50
North Melbourne 18.15.123
Goal Scorers
GIANTS: Giles 2, Harding, Ugle, Reid, Sargent, Shiel, Leslie
North Melbourne: Wright 4, Harvey 2, McKinley 2, Hansen 2, Warren 2, Harper 2, Kennedy 2, Norris, Campbell
Bests
Giles, Bugg, Clifton, Shiel?

Crowd
6,122