Harry Perryman is banging down the door for an AFL recall after a stellar performance in the NEAFL GIANTS’ 35-point win over Brisbane, while a couple of first-year GIANTS are pushing their case for a debut.
Perryman ticked plenty of boxes in Saturday’s 22.14 (146) to 18.3 (111) victory at the Gabba, booting four goals and picking up 34 disposals.
“Harry Perryman could easily slip back in, he performed everything he needed to,” GIANTS NEAFL coach Adam Schneider said.
“I think Brent Daniels is knocking on the door, he’s had some solid performances now.
“With Matt Buntine and Lachie Keeffe, they could easily play a game, you know what you’d get from them in the seniors.”
Adam Kennedy’s second game back after a year out with a knee injury was as promising as his first, prompting Schneider to say he is “not far away” from being ready to play AFL football.
Schneider also highlighted the efforts of first-year GIANT Aiden Bonar, whom he said produced his “best offensive game for the year”, but said he could easily have run through the list of AFL-listed players after the NEAFL side’s impressive fourth consecutive win.
“It’s a really good feeling, there’s confidence in the way we’re playing as a group, and the boys are really enjoying the way we’re moving the ball and scoring,” Schneider said.
“But on the other side, they’re also understanding that if we tackle well and play hard, we’re a very hard team to play against.
“I think it’s a bit of everything, continuity in the team, but also continuity with the players playing with each other.
“Just having good numbers makes a difference, and our younger guys who are helping us out as well. They’ve been playing four or five weeks in a row, so I think that’s a huge influence.”
The GIANTS led by a goal after a tight first quarter on Saturday, but the scoring floodgates opened after the first break.
The GIANTS booted eight goals to six to hold a 22-point lead at half-time, and maintained a similar margin at the final change after booting an inaccurate 5.6 to 6.1.
But the GIANTS straightened their kicking in the last to post a 35-point win – a dramatic turnaround from their 93-point loss to the Lions two months ago.
“We spent a bit of time looking at last time we played and telling the boys we’re a very different team than we were last time,” Schneider said. “Brisbane were a little bit different as well.
“But we just knew that, with the kind of style they wanted to play, we had to make sure they couldn’t play that way, because it was just too easy last time.
“The boys played really well to the game plan and got the result.”
Brisbane 2.1, 8.1, 14.2, 18.3 (111)
GIANTS 3.1, 11.5, 16.11, 22.14 (146)
The NEAFL GIANTS host Aspley at Spotless Stadium at 4pm this Saturday, as a curtain-raiser to the AFL match between the GIANTS and Hawthorn.
GIANTS NEAFL coach Adam Schneider on the performance of GIANTS AFL-listed players:
Harry Perryman – 34 disposals, 4 goals, 6 tackles, 5 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 4 marks
“He was our best player by a long way, not because of his four goals – that was definitely icing on the top – it was more his work rate and footy smarts. There’s still a couple of things he needs to work on which we found out on the weekend, so more opportunity for him to keep working, but a really solid game for us on the weekend.”
Nick Shipley – 28 disposals, 9 clearances, 5 tackles, 3 rebound 50s
“Shipley again, and I think I say this every week, his work rate is fantastic. Another solid game by Shipley working really hard on the inside, but also his work rate on the outside was fantastic.”
Aiden Bonar – 25 disposals, 13 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 4 tackles, 1 goal
“Probably the best offensive game I’ve seen from Bonar this year. His last quarter was a standout and a real reason we were able to crack them. I think he had seven clearances in the last quarter with eight or nine touches. He’s a very raw young kid, he’s got a lot of upside, he’s still got a lot to learn, which is great, it just means there’s more opportunity to be an even better footballer.”
Adam Kennedy – 22 disposals, 8 inside 50s, 5 tackles, 4 marks
“Kennedy was fantastic for us again, you wouldn’t think he’s come off a knee (injury), that’s for sure. The first three quarters he really opened up the game for us. He was one of the guys who kept us intact playing on the wing, and just his speed and his balance on the outside ... him and Keefey were fantastic in that area.”
Lachie Keeffe – 22 disposals, 2 goals, 12 hitouts, 5 marks, 5 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 2 tackles
“Keefey was probably our second or third best player on the weekend. The stats weren’t massive for him … but the role he played for the team was magnificent. His work rate to work up and back, from a big tall, it’s something I haven’t seen from many talls, but he was fantastic in that area.”
Matt Buntine – 18 disposals, 7 marks, 2 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s
“He’s just Mr Reliable. You just know he’s going to get it done. He didn’t offensively impact as much as he had been, but defensively rarely got beaten one-on-one, and he just solves a lot of problems for us down there. He’s captain for a reason, he just brings other players with him.”
Brent Daniels – 16 disposals, 2 goals, 2 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 3 clearances
“A bit of quiet this week for Binga compared to the last couple of weeks but still very influential with ball in hand. Rarely makes a bad decision. His work rate was a standout, but I think his pressure had lifted this week. He’s got a really good footy brain, and the way he’s improving he’ll have a long time here with us at the GIANTS.”
Zach Sproule – 16 disposals, 3 goals, 6 tackles, 5 marks, 3 inside 50s
“Sprouley was great, kicking 3.3. He missed a couple of easy goals, he’s normally one of our most reliable kicks for goal, but that’s easily fixed for him. His work rate is great, his attack on the footy is something he’s been working on and it was pretty pleasing on the weekend.”
Dylan Buckley – 15 disposals, 2 goals, 4 tackles, 2 inside 50s
“Dyl was very lively for us again, very dangerous. His and Daniels’ pressure around the ball was fantastic. The numbers don’t show it with the tackles for both of them, but they did cause a lot of turnovers and they made their backs nervous when they got the footy. If he can capitalise, he’s not far off completely breaking a game open when he hits the scoreboard effectively.”
Matt Flynn – 11 disposals, 45 hitouts, 3 tackles, 3 inside 50s
“He solo rucked for about 82 per cent of the game this week. 45 hit outs at 31 per cent efficiency to advantage is a very good day out for a ruckman, especially against a quality ruckman from Brisbane.”
Isaac Cumming – 9 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 2 inside 50s
“Quiet day for Cheese on the weekend, offensively he just couldn’t get going. Defensively he was solid, he went in the backline in the second half and didn’t get beaten too much, and I think he’ll be looking to bounce back next week.”
Jake Stein – 9 disposals, 2 marks, 1 tackle, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50
“Opportunities for our deep backs weren’t huge. They only went in 36 times for the game, and it was mostly their mids going straight over our backs’ heads a little bit. But he had some very aggressive spoils which was pleasing to see.”
Tim Mohr – 5 disposals, 3 marks, 1 tackle
“Absolutely smashed his opponent when he was on him, had the resting ruck most of the time and might’ve gotten beaten once in a contest and had some big spoils. It wasn’t really a big back’s day, but I was happy with his contribution.”
