An undermanned UWS GIANTS went down by 82 points on Saturday night at TIO Stadium, Darwin, in a game where players battled the elements, given the high humidity and sweltering heat.

The GIANTS gave opportunities to six local Northern Territory players, as well as a number of Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy players, including Joseph Redfern, Ben Wharton, Paul Green and Stuart Turner, who was celebrating his 18^th birthday.

The Thunder were impressive throughout and put in a performance that showed why they are the reigning NEAFL premiers, however the GIANTS never gave up in stifling heat, and despite being well behind the GIANTS kept fighting to kick four last quarter goals.

GIANTS Coach, Brett Hand said he happy with the GIANTS commitment to play the way they have been training and fighting spirit shown.

“I was really pleased with the way the boys fought the game out. The Second quarter was really tough for us when they kicked ten goals, but to be left with one rotation left on the bench in the last quarter, and the way the boys fought it out to have more scoring shots, win clearances and inside fifties in the last quarter was testament to the way they approached the game, said Hand.”

“The character of these boys what they have been through the last 6-8 weeks, with four away games out of their last five, really tested their character and commitment, and to a player today our listed players battled valiantly.

“The pleasing thing is we continue to play the way we are training at the moment and there were passages of play today that incorporated what we have been doing at training for the last two weeks and that pleases us more than anything.”

Hand was full of praise for a number of the GIANTS players, with Adam Kennedy the GIANTS best on ground.

“Kennedy was great in his defensive role and he provided us with some great run also. He went back and helped Jack Hombsch out, he took some good marks, intercept marks and used the ball well when he ran forward, and he is one of the players who implemented what we have been practicing,” said Hand.

“Andrew Phillips ruck work was brilliant, and he took about 4-5 contested marks today, he spread well and his tap work was great.

“Jack Hombsch had a tough job today also, but I thought he did it well. Tim Golds, Mark Whiley and Stephen Clifton were also solid, and rounded out the GIANTS best.”

Hand also praised the Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy players, who continued their development with another solid showing.

“Joseph Redfern showed some stuff which was pleasing, Stuart Turner is learning and Paul Green was good for us as well and we had six local boys from Darwin playing for us, and young Roy Assan certainly showed he has some good skills and speed and he was really good for us,” said Hand.

The GIANTS will look to bounce back next week when they meet the Sydney Swans Reserves at SKODA Stadium, as a precursor to the GIANTS-Port Adelaide game.

Final- NT THUNDER 23.16 154- UWS GIANTS10.12 72

Best- Kennedy, Phillips, Hombsch, Golds, Whiley, Clifton

Goals- Wilson 3, Assan 2, Darley, Dhurrkay, Green, Phillips, Redfern

Breakdown-

4^th- 23.16 154- 10.12 72

3^rd- 18.13 121- 6.7 43

½- 13.8 86- 5.2 32

¼- NT THUNDER 3.4 22- UWS GIANTS 2.1 13