The GIANTS have recorded their sixth win of the VFL season, defeating North Melbourne by 40 points at Blacktown International Sportspark on Sunday afternoon.
Jarrod Brander was the stand-out performer for the GIANTS, who bounced back following a disappointing defeat against Geelong prior to the bye round to claim a 13.17 (95) to 7.13 (55) win.
Cooper Hamilton (23 disposals) and Ryan Angwin (21 disposals, one goal) were both impressive, with Nick Haynes, Braydon Preuss and Kieren Briggs all likely to come into contention for AFL selection this week.
The GIANTS’ number five pick from the 2022 NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft, Wade Derksen, was also impressive with three goals from his 10 disposals playing as a key forward.
GIANTS VFL coach Damian Truslove credited the win to his side’s consistency throughout the contest.
“It was a really pleasing result and a great four-quarter effort,” Truslove said.
“We were inaccurate in front of goal, but it was pleasing to finish off the game and have a convincing win.”
Truslove shared his assessments of the AFL and VFL listed players who played in the match.
AFL Listed Players:
9 Ryan Angwin
21 disposals, 1 goal
Played another good game in the midfield. He found plenty of the ball and will continue to improve his midfield craft.
11 Braydon Preuss
14 disposals, 18 hit-outs, 2 goals
Set the game up for us with his aggression and work rate across the ground.
19 Nick Haynes
18 disposals, 6 rebound 50s
It was great to see him playing again. He played half on the wing and half down back. He got heavily tagged but still found a lot of ball and was influential throughout the afternoon.
29 Cameron Fleeton
9 disposals, 5 marks
Had a big job playing on their best forward and fought hard all afternoon.
31 Jarrod Brander
34 disposals, 12 marks
Found a lot of the ball on the wing and set up a lot of our offensive ball movement through the middle of the ground.
32 Kieren Briggs
18 disposals, 1 goal
A really improved performance from Kieren. He looked dangerous playing forward and competed really well in the ruck.
43 Cooper Hamilton
23 disposals, 6 marks
Really hard and tough in the back half. He had several outstanding run down tackles and got involved in the ball movement through the middle of the ground.
45 Wade Dersken
3 goals, 10 disposals
A really good first game from Wade, he hit the scoreboard and worked hard to provide options for the ball carriers through the middle of the ground.
46 Callum Brown
17 disposals, 8 rebound 50s
Played across half back and attacked the ball at speed which was pleasing. We loved seeing him use his leg speed to take the game on.
VFL Listed and Academy Players:
47 Josh Green
21 disposals, 1 goal
Was outstanding around the contest. He was hard and tough and got the ball going forward for us all afternoon.
48 Harry Grintell
10 disposals, 3 marks
Played down back this week in a new role for him. He gave us great offensive drive off half back.
49 Sam Frost
15 disposals, 3 tackles
Played a solid game as a key defender. He defended with aggression and got involved with the ball momentout of the back half.
50 Billy Clark
20 disposals, 9 marks
Played a combination of wing and forward. As a forward he led at the ball well and on the wing, he got involved with our ball movement.
51 Ryan Hebron
15 disposals, 2 goals
He looked dangerous playing forward and kicked two critical goals. His pressure in the front half was outstanding all afternoon.
52 Brodie Romensky
10 disposals, 1 mark
Played as a half forward and presented at the ball really well.
53 Bailey Stewart
14 disposals, 5 marks
Played in the midfield and had a really strong start to the game and tackled with aggression.
54 Max Monaghan
7 disposals, 1 goal
Played as a key forward and attacked the aerial contests and ground balls with aggression.
55 Kyle Veerhuis
6 disposals, 1 tackle
Played as a key defender and had a lot of important spoils in the back half.
56 Cameron Edwards
12 disposals, 2 tackles
Played as a key forward, led at the ball, and used it well in the forward half.
58 Xavier Barry-Murphy
9 disposals, 4 marks
Played in our back half and had a really good defensive mentality.
59 Brad Rauter
8 disposals, 3 marks
Brad’s first game for the club on the back of some fantastic form in the GIANTS Academy. He played as a key defender and made plenty of critical spoils and won a lot of contests around the ground.
60 Leyton Chisholm
18 disposals, 1 goal
Hard and tough around the stoppages and the contest.
63 Liam Ross
7 disposals, 1 mark
His first game for the club this year on the back of some great local form. He gave us great speed and outside run through the middle of the ground.
