An undermanned UWS GIANTS put in a courageous display before eventually going down by 31 points to the Gold Coast Suns at Metricon Stadium on Sunday.
After trailing by as much as four goals early in the game, the young GIANTS fought hard to find themselves trailing by as little as seven points going into the last quarter. But unfortunately the more experienced Suns side kicked away late in the game to run out winners.
NEAFL assistant coach, Lachlan Buszard praised all players for the tremendous effort shown and for their determination to fight their way back into the contest after a slow start.
“We were really competitive until three quarter time, but unfortunately the Suns' experience was the difference. The Suns got the jump on us at the start, but full credit to the players, they fought back really well, but unfortunately we couldn’t run out the game and we ran out of legs in the end,” said Buszard.
“We had twelve top-up players, who all played really well. They all went hard at the footy and really had a go. This was a great experience for them; to play against AFL listed players and a side with so much experience."
Buszard praised the work of Israel Folau and said he was on track for a return to senior football in the coming weeks.
“Israel did some really nice things and continues to improve. He kicked two goals and played all over the ground. He spent some time at full forward and in the ruck and ran really well. He worked really hard off the football, tackled well and presented well up the ground. He ran out the game strongly and pulled up really well after the game, so he is really making some good progress for someone who has spent five weeks out of football through injury.”
Anthony Miles was the GIANTS best and was a vital cog in the GIANTS midfield, leading the young side around the ground. Miles put in an impressive display that saw him win a lot of the football, and provide the GIANTS with great penetration through the midfield. Tom Downie was also strong in the ruck, as was Josh Bruce who played on Gold Coast spearhead Josh Fraser, and limited his involvement on the contest.
Kurt Aylett and Matt Buntine both put in solid displays and gave the GIANTS great drive off the half back flank, with both players providing plenty of run and were lively throughout the game.
Rookie Sam Frost continues his impressive form in the NEAFL, as he found himself amongst the GIANTS best for the fifth consecutive game. Frost provided a strong target at centre half forward and presented really well all game. Frost also spent time in the ruck, and showed he is an exciting athlete who is developing nicely as the season unfolds.
Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy member and Western Sydney product, Paul Green was also a standout, kicking two goals and showed some encouraging signs as he stepped up to the NEAFL level.
The GIANTS will return to SKODA Stadium next Sunday to meet Sydney University, with the action getting under way from 9:30am.
Gold Coast Suns 16.7 103 – UWS GIANTS 11.6 72
Goals- Folau 2, Frost 2, Green 2, Ugle 2, Jensen, Bruce, Carter
Best- Miles, Downie, Buntine, Aylett, Bruce, Frost
