The GIANTS - with nine listed players - were defeated by the Gold Coast Suns in the VFL on Sunday afternoon.
Tim Taranto (27 disposals), Wade Derksen (3 goals) and Xavier O'Halloran (16 disposals, 3 goals) all stood out for the orange and charcoal, but it wasn't enough as the GIANTS fell to a 9.9 (63) to 18.11 (119) defeat at Metricon Stadium.
Phil Davis (24 disposals, 17 marks), also impressed after making his long-awaited return to the field after being sidelined with a hamstring injury in round two.
“Overall, I was really pleased with performance due to the challenges we faced prior to the game,” said GIANTS VFL coach Damian Truslove.
“We had a lack of rotations through injury, but the boys fought hard to play the game out.”
Truslove shared his assessments of the AFL and VFL listed players who played in the match.
AFL Listed Players:
1 Phil Davis
24 disposals, 17 marks
It was a really good first game back. He took a lot of strong marks in the back half and was significant in our ball movement.
14 Tim Taranto
27 disposals, 7 marks
Tim played half in the midfield and then one quarter up forward. His time on the field was managed but he had a strong impact on the game, especially through the middle of the ground.
29 Cameron Fleeton
12 disposals, 7 marks
He worked really hard in our back half, he tackled well and got involved in our ball movement.
33 Xavier O'Halloran
3 goals, 16 disposals
Played the first half up forward and the second half in the midfield. He was hard and tough around the contest and gave 100%. It was also pleasing to see him hit the scoreboard.
35 Will Shaw
6 disposals, 1 goal
Played on the wing and supported our defence with really good running patterns. He used the ball well by foot.
42 Jake Stein
15 disposals, 6 rebound-50s
A great performance down back. He worked really well with the back six alongside Phil and showed a lot of courage in the air.
43 Cooper Hamilton
14 disposals, 5 marks
Had the job on Macpherson for most of the game and did a good job on him. He’ll continue to work on his backline craft.
45 Wade Derksen
3 goals, 7 marks
He moved really well in our front half, leading at the ball and attacking the aerial contests with aggression. He played as our second ruck and competed hard around the ground.
46 Callum Brown
21 disposals, 1 goal
Another really strong performance on Sunday from Callum. He continues to attack the ball and opposition with aggression and his long kicking was a feature for us throughout the contest.
VFL Listed and Academy Players:
47 Josh Green
21 disposals, 3 inside-50s
A strong performance in the midfield. He won a lot of clearances and we were impressed with his strong body work.
48 Harry Grintell
15 disposals, 5 marks
Played down back again this week. He looks to get more and more comfortable in his new role each week and continues to use the ball well.
49 Sam Frost
20 disposals, 4 rebound-50s
Played most of the game down back and won a lot of contests in the back half. He fought the game out and played well.
50 Billy Clark
16 disposals, 5 marks
Played on the wing and supported the defence really well. He got involved with our ball movement through the middle of the ground.
51 Ryan Hebron
4 disposals
Unfortunately got injured early into the first quarter and couldn’t continue after that.
52 Brodie Romensky
7 disposals, 1 goal
Played up forward this week. his defensive pressure in the front half was really good.
54 Max Monaghan
15 disposals, 5 marks
Max’s pressure was really good in our front half and although he missed a couple of set shots, we’re pleased he’s putting himself in the right areas for opportunities at goal.
55 Kyle Veerhuis
9 disposals, 4 hit-outs
Played in the ruck against two of the VFL’s most in-form players, he scrapped and fought hard for the entire contest and gave it everything he had.
56 Cameron Edwards
7 disposals, 2 marks
Played as a deep forward and led at the ball well. Unfortunately, he cramped badly at half-time and couldn’t have an impact on the game after that.
58 Xavier Barry-Murphy
10 disposals, 6 marks
Played in our back half and played a good team first defensive role. He used the ball well by foot.
60 Leyton Chisholm
11 disposals, 2 tackles
He was hard and tough around the stoppages and continues to improve his running patterns around the ground.
61 Lachlan Benton
10 disposals, 2 marks
Continues to perform well at the level, improving each week.
63 Liam Ross
6 disposals
His second game for the club, he played at half forward and had a defensive role on one of their half backs and he was quite diligent with that throughout the contest.
