Midfielder Jacob Hopper and defender Nick Haynes have continued their push for senior selection playing key roles in Sunday’s NEAFL victory over the Canberra Demons.
The Western Sydney University (WSU) GIANTS defeated the Demons 14.12.96 to 11.10.76 by 20 points in a come from behind victory at Allinsure Park at Queanbeyan.
The GIANTS started slowly kicking just three goals in the first half to trail by 7 points at the main break but responded with 11 goals in the second half to secure their second win of the season.
Coach Brad Miller said he was impressed with how his side responded to the early challenge.
“We were poor in the first half and to Canberra’s credit they were harder at the contest, they were running harder and were playing smarter too,” said Miller.
“I was pleased with how our guys came back at them in the second half with our appetite for the contest really coming through."
Jake Barrett was handed a big job at half time with the tough midfielder asked to lock down on Sam Martyn, who was racking up plenty of possessions for the Demons in the first half.
With Barrett playing his new role and Tom Downie playing his best match for the season in the ruck and as a marking forward, the tide turned with the GIANTS kicking six majors in the third quarter.
Hopper gathered 38-possessions and kicked two late goals to help the GIANTS get over the line with Miller full of praise.
“Jacob was terrific in and around the contests so now we’ll keep working on adding the next layer to his game which is to spread away from the contests to become an offensive weapon.”
Haynes played an unfamiliar role in the fourth term moving to the forward line which helped WSU secure the win.
“He was really big for us late in the game,” said Miller.
“Nick is a really smart player and he reads the ball so well so to have him take a couple of marks and kick a late goal was really important.”
The WSU GIANTS move into third place on the ladder heading into Round 4 when they’ll head to Townsville to take on Gold Coast on Saturday night.
GIANTS 1.4 3.5 9.10 14.12 (96)
CANBERRA 1.5 4.6 5.9 11.10 (76)
GOALS – GIANTS: R Stevens 3 J Stewart 2 T Downie 2 J Hopper 2 N Haynes M Flynn D Simpson S Reid M Vardanega. Canberra: J Harper 2 J Baker A Bruce D Roberts L Flaherty N Fothergill L McKay N Heyne S Askew N Pleming.
BEST – GIANTS: J Hopper T Mohr M Kennedy J Stewart N Haynes T Downie. Canberra: J Harper L McKay N Heyne H Bryant S Camp.
