The GIANTS have continued their unbeaten start to the 2022 VFL season, defeating Coburg by 42-points at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday afternoon.
Finn Callaghan, Josh Fahey and Cooper Hamilton starred for the GIANTS as they held-off a spirited Coburg side to record a 16.10 (106) to 9.10 (64) win.
Youngster Jarrod Brander responded well to being omitted by senior coach Leon Cameron registering 25 disposals and a goal, with Matt Flynn and Kieren Briggs also pressing their claims for senior selection after strong displays in the ruck.
GIANTS VFL coach Damian Truslove attributed the win to his side’s dominant opening term.
"We were really pleased with the result, especially the first quarter," Truslove said.
"I thought, Flynn, Callaghan and Fahey were brilliant across the ground.
"Our intensity dropped in the second half which let Coburg back into the game but we were able reset and scrapped out a solid win."
Truslove shared his assessments of the AFL and VFL listed players who played in the match.
AFL Listed Players:
9 Ryan Angwin
13 disposals, 1 goal
Ryan played first half in the midfield and played on the wing in the second half. He was a bit slow to get going by his own standards but worked hard and got himself into the game in the second half.
17 Finn Callaghan
17 disposals, 1 goal
Played in the midfield and was really dominate in the first quarter. They tagged him heavily after the opening term but he still managed to find plenty of the ball and fought through that really well.
21 Leek Aleer
11 disposals, 1 goal
Played the first half as down back before spending the second half as a key forward. He attacked the ball and opposition with aggression and was really clean with the ball in hand.
31 Jarrod Brander
25 disposals, 1 goal
Played on the wing and found plenty of the ball. He was composed with the ball in hand and aggressive across the ground.
29 Cameron Fleeton
16 disposals, 8 marks
Played his normal aggressive role down back and used the ball really well by foot.
30 Matt Flynn
21 hit-outs, 9 marks
Matt was instrumental in getting us off to a good start. He was the dominant ruck on the ground and took some great contested marks.
32 Kieren Briggs
22 hit-outs, 1 goal
He won the majority of his ruck contests and we were really impressed with his follow up work at the stoppages. He laid six tackles and had eight clearances which is outstanding from a ruckman.
34 Josh Fahey
27 disposals, 1 goal
Josh had a fantastic start to the game, he gave us plenty of offensive drive out of the back half and lethal by foot.
35 Will Shaw
13 disposals, 1 goal
Will got through a full game which was pleasing. His gut running between the contest was good and he looked dangerous leading up at the ball.
45 Cooper Hamilton
20 disposals, 6 marks
Another fantastic performance down back from Cooper. He defended with aggression and also gave us some offensive drive off half back.
VFL Listed and Academy Players:
Harry Grintell
6 disposals, 1 goal
Harry's movement in the forward line was good. He continues to work hard on his forward craft and defensive pressure.
Sam Frost
21 disposals, 1 goal
A really solid game down back. He got involved in our ball movement out of the back half and won a lot of critical contests.
Billy Clark
18 disposals, 6 marks
Played on the wing this week. His gut run between contests was a highlight and he was composed with the ball in hand.
Ryan Hebron
19 disposals, 1 goal
Ryan played half a game down back and then the other half up forward. His contested work was fantastic and he continues to win a lot of critical contests at both ends of the ground.
Bailey Stewart
11 disposals, 3 tackles
He continues to improve each week. He played forward and in the midfield and attacked it hard and was clean with the ball.
Max Monaghan
11 disposals, 3 marks
Attacked the ball and opposition with aggression and looked dangerous up forward.
Josh Green
14 disposals, 2 goals
Attacked the ball hard in the midfield before playing a role up forward in the second half. He gave us some great contests in the air and was rewarded with two great goals.
Kyle Veerhuis
13 disposals, 4 marks
Played as a key defender and was impressive in the contest.
Cameron Edwards
9 disposals, 2 goals
Kicked two exciting goals and looked very dangerous when we moved the ball quickly forward.
Sebastian Quirk
13 disposals, 4 marks
Played down back this week and had a great defender first mentality.
Leyton Chisholm
13 disposals, 4 inside-50s
Worked hard in the midfield, tackled with aggression and ran hard.
Xavier Barry-Murphy
10 disposals, 1 goal
Played on the wing, really good gut run to support every contest around the ground and kicked a good goal.
Jack Rule
3 disposals, 1 goal
One of our GIANTS Academy players, Jack played up forward. He had a strong focus to apply defencive pressure and did it really well.
The GIANTS will look to continue their unbeaten start to the VFL season when they clash with Collingwood at the Holden Centre on Saturday afternoon at 2:05pm.
The AFL will live stream every match of the VFL season at afl.com.au/stream-vfl.