The Greater Western Sydney GIANTS secured their third win for the season today with a strong team performance, downing the Queanbeyan Tigers by 41 points, with Israel Folau and Adam Flagg booting an impressive nine goals between them.
The opening twenty minutes of the match were physical and scrappy, with both teams struggling for clearances, conceding a number of turnovers, however late in the quarter the GIANTS were able to regain their composure with a few late goals securing a handy 31-point lead going into the first break.
Four minutes into the second quarter, Folau took a mark 40 meters from goal and lined up to slot it through for his first goal in AFL. Folau then followed this up with an impressive goal on the run just moments later. The scenes after Folau’s goals were ecstatic with the entire GIANTS squad running from all over the ground to congratulate their team mate as the crowd cheered.
GIANTS’ development coach, Brett Hand said that the response from the team demonstrated the closeness of the GIANTS playing group and the importance of Folau and his development to his teammates.
“It was always going to be like that when he kicked his first goal. They were always going to get around him. I think it’s a sense of relief for all the boys, they know how hard he’s been working to get to this stage.
“It just shows how close this group is. He’s come together as a part of this and is a very big part of the group. It’s not just a one-person team,” Hand said.
Hand said that Israel’s second goal demonstrated that the 22 year old was improving in his ability to read the play.
“He actually knew where to go and how to get the ball and where to run to and not just kick goals from stop play. That’s very pleasing that he’s starting to read the play.”
“It was just good to see him finish the game with a smile on his face – that’s the most important thing for us, to see him enjoying playing the game. They way he attacked the footy today, took some marks and then turned his opponent inside out. It was just great to see him do that.”
Folau had an impressive 14 touches for the match, including seven kicks, six marks, four of which were contest and managed to finish the day with four goals and one behind.
Seventeen year old school boy, Adam Flagg was another revelation down forward, leading the GIANTS goal scoring for the day with five majors.
Flagg showed impressive composure and strength as forward option for much of the day.
Flagg, who grew up in Ardlethan, is one of only a few players who began playing football with the GIANTS (formerly Team GWS) in 2010 in the TAC Cup. He is currently also playing in the Under 18 NAB AFL National competition with the NSW/ACT RAMS.
Dylan Shiel, again proved his value to the GIANTS, returning to the side after an injury scare two weeks ago. Shiel and fellow midfielder Clifton combined impressively through the midfield, providing good leadership around the ground.
Hand was ensuring the club used perspective when discussing today’s victory.
“Obviously, there is still a lot of work to do. It was a big effort from our boys. We had eight players out there that don’t train with the club that simply came into the side for the game today.
“We had four 16 year olds and three 17 year olds, it was a huge step forward for us. Also to see kids from our academy getting the opportunity to play, that’s fantastic for our region. But there’s still a lot of improvement to go.”
GWS GIANTS
19.15.129
Queanbeyan
13.10.88
GIANTS goal kickers
Adam Flagg 5
Israel Folau 4
Jake Olsson 3
Lachlan Harper
Andrew Phillips
Sam Darley
Jake Neade
Anthony Miles
Josh Bruce
Dylan Shiel
Bests
Shiel, Flagg, Clifton, Folau, Williams, Carey
