The GIANTS have continued their strong start to the 2022 VFL season, defeating the Frankston Dolphins by 27-points at Skybus Stadium on Saturday night. 

Cooper Hamilton, Finn Callaghan and Ryan Hebron starred for the GIANTS as they held-on for four quarters to record a 8.9 (57) to 4.6 (30) win.

After a strong pre-season, Matt Flynn fought hard for his spot back in the senior side registering 34 hit-outs, 19 disposals and a goal. 

Draftees Finn Callaghan (2 goals, 17 disposals) and Cooper Hamilton (1 goal, 23 disposals) also gave GIANTS fans something to get excited about.

GIANTS VFL coach Damian Truslove said:

“It was a really strong performance in tough conditions. 

"We had a lot of stoppages due to how narrow the ground was, but we were hard and tough around the contest."

Truslove shared his assessments of the AFL and VFL listed players who played in the match.

AFL Listed Players: 

9 Ryan Angwin 

10 disposals, 3 tackles

Ryan played the first half in the midfield and the second half on the wing. He ran really well between the contest, and his defensive running patterns were good.

10 Jacob Wehr 

18 disposals, 5 rebound-50s 

We saw another strong performance from Jacob on the wing. He ran hard both ways and made some really good decisions when the ball was in his hands.

17 Finn Callaghan

17 disposals, 2 goals

Finn played on the wing in the first half and then moved into the midfield - his second half was outstanding. He scored two long range goals and broke the game open for us. He continues to be an exciting young player to watch.

21 Leek Aleer 

10 disposals, 1 goal

Leek defended really well in the back half. He won the majority of his contests and kicked a fantastic goal in the last quarter.

26 Jake Riccardi

1 goal, 12 disposals

Jake competed really hard for the entire contest and brought the ball to ground for the smalls. I was really pleased with the improvement in his defensive work rate across the ground. 

29 Cameron Fleeton

14 disposals, 6 marks 

Cam attacked the ball and the opponent with great aggression on Saturday. Another really consistent performance in the back half  from him, and his decision making to push forward and defend was fantastic. 

30 Matt Flynn

34 hit-outs, 1 goal

I was really impressed with Flynny’s attitude after dropping back to the VFL level this week. His follow up and aggression around the ground was good and he looked really dangerous playing forward.

32 Kieren Briggs

17 hit-outs, 13 disposals

It was pleasing to see Kieren get better as the game went on which resulted in a strong second half from him. He took some good contested marks and got on top of the opposition ruck in the second half.

35 Will Shaw 

3 disposals, 1 mark

Started really well but unfortunately fell ill and didn't play after that. He should be okay to go this weekend. 

45 Cooper Hamilton

23 disposals, 1 goal

Cooper was outstanding on the weekend. He won most of his individual contests and we were delighted with his offensive drive and run. 

46 Callum Brown 

6 disposals, 2 marks

Callum's leading patterns were good at times and he gave good speed ahead of the ball. He continues to work hard on his forward craft.

VFL Listed and Academy Players: 

Harry Grintell  

16 disposals, 1 goal

His best game so far. He looked dangerous in front of goal and just needs to finish his hard work.

Sam Frost  

20 disposals, 6 marks

Got involved with our ball movement in the back half. Another really solid performance from Sam. 

Billy Clark  

17 disposals, 6 marks

Won most of his contests and was critical for us in the air. He continues to get involved in our offensive and defensive ball movement.

Ryan Hebron

22 disposals, 6 marks

Another fantastic performance from our captain. His communication was great and he drives high standards for our entire program.

Brodie Romensky

15 disposals, 7 tackles

He was tough around the stoppages and tackled with aggression. He continues to work on his stoppage body-work and craft.

Bailey Stewart

17 disposals, 2 tackles

A really good performance from Bailey. He spent the majority of the game as a high half forward and was really clean with the ball in hand. 

Max Monaghan 

12 disposals, 1 goal

Another player who enjoyed his best game of the season so far. He attacked the ball and opposition with aggression and looked dangerous up forward.

Josh Green 

21 disposals, 5 tackles

Josh played in the midfield. His attack on the ball was really good and he worked hard between the contest.

Sebastian Quirk

9 disposals, 2 inside-50s 

Seb's first game for the club was really good. He played on the wing and ran really well. He'll get better with more experience.

Leyton Chisholm  

20 disposals, 8 tackles 

Leyton's best game for the club so far. He was hard and tough around the ground. 

Angus Baker

24 disposals, 6 marks

Angus' first game this year and he was really good. He found a lot of the ball and had great defensive positioning. 

Billy Barnes

7 disposals, 2 tackles

A really good first game for the GIANTS. His pressure as a small forward was fantastic. We gave him a role on their best attacking defender and he handled it really well.

The GIANTS will take on Coburg in round three of the VFL season at Blacktown International Sportspark at 1:35pm on Saturday afternoon.

The AFL will live stream every match of the VFL season at afl.com.au/stream-vfl.