Small forward Zac Langdon made a successful return from a foot injury as the GIANTS went down to the Swans in the NEAFL on Saturday.

The 23-year-old kicked two goals as the GIANTS lost to the Swans by 45 points at Blacktown International Sportspark, 13.19 (97) to 7.10 (52). 

It was the first time Langdon had played for the GIANTS NEAFL side, with the Perth product having overcome a pre-season lisfranc injury to run out the full match.

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Half-back Isaac Cumming was again impressive for the GIANTS.

“Our start to the game was a little bit off,” GIANTS Development Coach Damian Truslove said.

“We were a little bit reactive and credit to the Swans they came with a really strong intent around the ball. 

“There were some signs later in the game as our effort improved but overall it wasn’t a great day for us.”

Swans 13.19 (97) def. GIANTS 7.10 (52) 

Goals: Zach Sproule, Kieren Briggs, Zac Langdon 2, Jackson Hately 1

GIANTS Development Coach Damian Truslove on the GIANTS’ AFL listed players: 

Zac Langdon – 21 disposals, nine marks, three tackles, two goals
“He was great, he covered the ground really well, got through the game with his body feeling really good. He got some time in the midfield as well as forward. He showed that he can put his hand up for AFL selection.” 

Jack Buckley – 22 disposals, seven marks, six tackles
“He played the whole game on the wing and was really impressive. He’s had two games in a row now where he’s played well on the wing. His running patterns, his positioning around stoppage and his work ethic was fantastic.” 

Isaac Cumming – 28 disposals, eight marks, four tackles
“Isaac played down back this week after playing on the wing last week. He gave us some good drive off half-back and used the ball well by foot. He was definitely one of our better players on the day.”

Nick Shipley – 25 disposals, four marks, eight tackles
“Ships worked hard around the contest, was really strong around the stoppages. His gut running between the contests was really good. His off-ball stuff is still a work in progress.” 

Jackson Hately – 19 disposals, six marks, six tackles, one goal
“Jacko came back to us this week and was a little bit slow to get going in the first quarter and then his second and third quarters he really got going. It was really good; he got his hands on the ball and worked hard between contests. He then finished up at three quarter-time to be the emergency for the AFL team.” 

Connor Idun – 18 disposals, six marks, four tackles
“Connor continues to do a good job down back; he continues to win and halve his one-on-one contests. He’s really hard to play on, and his competitive spirit has been fantastic. As time goes on, he’ll continue to bring a more offensive side to his game. It’s been a really good start to his season.”

Xavier O’Halloran – 17 disposals, four marks, three tackles
“Xavier was tough in and around the contest, a bit like Nick Shipley he’s got some work to do on his off-ball running patterns, but he’s tough around the contest and his spread to assist at the contest was quite good.” 

Lachie Keeffe – 15 disposals, 10 marks
“Lachie was solid down back, he won and halved most of his contest and his communication setting up the boys was excellent. He continues to be a rock down back for us.”

Aidan Bonar – 14 disposals, three marks, five tackles
“Bons didn’t win as much of the ball as he’d want to but his running patterns between contests was quite good and continues to improve which is impressive. He’s quite tough in and around the stoppages, but he didn’t have as much impact on the game as he’d have liked.” 

Matt Flynn – 14 disposals, five marks, one tackle
“He played forward and in the ruck. He took some really good contested marks particularly in the second quarter, and his ruck work continues to improve. He’s just got to keep on working on his stoppages and he’ll be in a good place from there.”

Ian Hill – 12 disposals, three marks, three tackles
“Bobby worked pretty hard for little reward. I thought his effort and his setting up at structures, and his effort to empty out and cover the ground was really good. He had a close tag on him, Ryley Stoddart sat on him and he’s going to get a fair bit of that. I thought he handled it really well and continued to try hard all day.” 

Zach Sproule – 11 disposals, two marks, two tackles, two goals
“Zach worked hard all day and kicked a couple of goals in the first quarter. He looked exciting and was really up and about. He was then limited for opportunity then. Our inside 50s dropped right off and he had a close tag on him.”

Kieren Briggs – 10 disposals, two marks, two tackles, two goals
“Similar to Zach Sproule, he didn’t get a lot of opportunities down forward, we didn’t have a lot of inside 50s. He flew for some contested marks which was really exciting and he’s getting into a really good position to grab the ball, but his next step is to hang on to those marks. He’s progressing really well.”

Dawson Simpson – 10 disposals, two marks, eight tackles
“Dawson had a really good game, he was on top in the ruck and his follow up this week was much better. His centre bounce craft improved and again his leadership was outstanding.” 

Callum Brown – two disposals, one mark
“He didn’t get a lot of opportunities up forward like the rest of our forwards, but he’s still learning his craft and learning the game. He’s trying to improve his reading of scenarios around the ground.”