“Let it go … you’ve got to just let it go mate.”

Those words are generally sage advice on any Saturday night – and so it proves when offered by James Hird to Mark McVeigh during the second quarter of an enthralling contest at GIANTS Stadium.

McVeigh isn’t spoiling for a fight.

But the GIANTS’ interim coach, who was outgoing mentor Leon Cameron’s nomination to take the reins, is growing impatient as he waits for a return call from Braydon Preuss in the second quarter.

Preuss is still in the rooms, having hurt his ankle in the opening term. The coaches’ box has been provided updates as medicos assess the ruckman’s injury, jab the ankle then attempt to get him moving.

“The longer this goes, the longer we’re down a rotation. We’ve almost just got to make the call,” Hird recommends.

Soon after, medical sub Jarrod Brander enters the fray at the expense of Preuss.

It is one of several turning points during the highest-scoring game of the season, with the GIANTS and Bulldogs trading metaphorical blows rather than the more literal ones doled out in recent years of this rivalry.

It is also one of several spinning plates for McVeigh’s panel, who are repeatedly forced to rethink their plans because of three injuries, a combined 10 goals from Aaron Naughton and Cody Weightman, and an opposition capable of scoring in a hurry.

The GIANTS invited a CodeSports reporter into the coaches’ box for round 14.

You can read the full story HERE.