The UWS GIANTS clocked their second win in a row over the weekend, defeating the Belconnen Magpies by 10 points at Kippax Oval in Canberra.
Former Blue Bret Thornton bagged eight goals on an impressive day out while Riverina recruit Mark Whiley was named best on ground in a shut down role on former North Adelaide Best and Fairest winner, James Bennett.
UWS GIANTS Coach Brett Hand said that he was pleased with his side's performance in a high scoring game in Canberra.
"It was a strange game, very attacking game. Both sides allowed the opposition to score easy goals and we just held on which was the really pleasing thing," Hand said.
"We had 11 shots in the first quarter and we should have been further in front going in to the first break. We only led by a point at quarter time, 2.9 to 3.4. We missed five set shots and we were dominant the way we got the ball in to our forward line."
Hand said that he was impressed with the way that his side hung on to their lead after a high scoring third term.
"The third was a 37 minute, 18 goal quarter. We kicked ten and Belconnen kicked eight majors.
"In one aspect it was great that we were able to score like that, our run and defence was really good especially at a stoppages.
"On the flip side we allowed them to score too easily when we lapsed in concentration.
"Thornton had a field day and kicked eight goals for the day and could have kicked more, he missed a number of set shots.
"I was also impressed with Mark Whiley who played a tagging role on James Bennett. He's averaged 40 possessions a game in the last three games but Mark kept him to 16.
"Tomlinson was his usual energetic lively self, he kicked two goals himself and was probably involved in 11 scoring efforts."
Belconnen: 19.13.127
GIANTS: 20.17.137
Goals
UWS GIANTS: B. Thornton 8, N. Wilson 3, A. Tomlinson 2, M. Whiley 2, S. Edwards 2, C. Hampton , M. King , G. Ugle
Belconnen: C. York 3, M. Lokan 3, J. Hegarty 2, S. Curtis 2, A. Dess 2, B. Weston , M. Sharp , J. Harper , R. Turnbull , A. Bennett , J. Steele , S. Rutland
Bests: Whiley, Thornton, Williams, Golds, Hampton, Darley, Aylett
