The GIANTS are within touching distance of confirming their place in the 2019 NEAFL finals series after fighting back to beat the Swans by 14 points at GIANTS Stadium on Saturday.
Featuring just six AFL listed players, the GIANTS trailed at both quarter time and half time before a big third quarter saw them take the lead.
The GIANTS kicked four goals to the Swans’ two as Nick Shipley, Tommy Sheridan and Adam Kennedy found plenty of the footy.
An arm wrestle ensued in the final quarter as both sides managed just two goals each; the GIANTS running out winners 9.15 (69) to 8.7 (55).
“It was one of the best (wins) I’ve been involved in here so far, it was a really, really great result,” GIANTS NEAFL Head Coach Adam Schneider said.
“It wasn’t the prettiest game, but to win a game like that was sensational and I couldn’t have been happier with the lads out there.”
Schneider wasn’t concerned with the Swans’ early lead and was pleased with how the GIANTS fought to get in front and then hold on in a tense final term.
“I still felt we were the better team for the first half but we just kept on hitting the post,” he said.
“I think we hit the post four times which could have cost us.
“In a game like that it was only a goal or two in a row that would put you in a good position and we were able to do that in the third quarter.”
With just two games to play in the premiership season, the GIANTS’ ninth win of the season puts them 10 points clear of the Canberra Demons who sit seventh on the ladder with six wins and a draw.
The GIANTS have a bye this weekend, before facing Brisbane in round 20 at GIANTS Stadium on Sunday, August 18.
GIANTS 1.3, 3.7, 7.11, 9.15 (69)
Swans 2.2, 4.3, 6.6, 8.7 (55)
Goals: Mudge 2; Sheridan, Sproule, Squire, Brown, Chandler, Grant, Kennedy
GIANTS NEAFL Head Coach Adam Schneider on the GIANTS’ AFL listed players:
Tommy Sheridan – 21 disposals, two marks, three tackles, three inside-50s, one goal
“Tommy was great; obviously being a few players down we played him inside in the middle which was fantastic as he wanted to be in there. He took the opportunity, played some really good footy for us in there and his work rate off the ball was fantastic.”
Zach Sproule – 14 disposals, seven marks, four tackles, one goal
“Sprouley had a good match up on Lewis Melican. It was a great challenge for Zach and I think he had a really good plan which didn’t work for the first two quarters but Zach stuck at it and I felt he came out on top. He could have kicked four goals.”
Kieren Briggs – six disposals, one mark, 18 hitouts, three inside-50s
“He competed hard against a tall ruck early but unfortunately didn’t get through the rest of the game. We took a safe option and didn’t risk him.”
Nick Shipley – 37 disposals, four marks, 11 tackles, three inside-50s
“Shipley keeps on getting it done for us, he’s a ball magnet and works hard. We had to put him as an inside midfielder this week after what he’s been doing for us on the wing. I felt he really adapted to the task and had 24 contested possessions. It was an enormous effort to get the ball 37 times. I thought he was probably the best player for us.”
Adam Kennedy – 29 disposals, four marks, five tackles, one goal
“Kenners was great, we put him on the half back flank in the first half and he ran ragged down there, covered some kilometres, played some great footy for us and gave us great drive. I was rapt to see him get through the game and he’ll put his hand up for senior selection this week.”
Callum Brown – 18 disposals, seven marks, two tackles, one goal
“Besides kicking another absurdly good goal from the backline, he had a really great game in his balance of offense and defence. Sydney tried to keep him deep to keep him out of the play which is a credit to him. Some of the defensive stuff was fantastic and what we’d been asking for. He keeps on growing each week which hopefully gives him the best opportunity to play AFL in the future.”
