GIANTS VFL coach Wayne Cripps says Saturday’s impressive win over Sandringham was built on the back of a four-quarter performance and that the GIANTS must repeat that if they’re to challenge ladder-leaders Werribee this coming weekend.

The GIANTS gave up the first two goals to the Zebras early on Saturday but kicked 15 of the next 21 goals in a commanding 75-minute stretch to run out 46-point winners at Manuka Oval.

Despite dominating the second and third terms, outscoring the visitors 11 goals to four, Cripps said his side’s ability to be consistent across the entire game was the most satisfying aspect of the performance.

“The most pleasing thing was that we finally put together a four-quarter performance,” Cripps said.

“It looked like a GIANTS game both offensively and defensively, and around the contest, and then the scoreboard took care of itself.”

The second-year VFL coach said his side’s ability to force the Zebras into turnovers and then convert them into scores was a key to Saturday’s win.

“Our ability to minimise a lot of their attacks with our ability to pressure was at a high level. Then off the back of that we were able to maximise those turnovers created and use the ball well and be really efficient moving forward.

“The challenge for us [moving forward] is that our side looks different each week so it’s about trying to make it look like a GIANTS game as often as we can for as long as we can.”

Former GIANTS AFL captain Callan Ward was pivotal to Saturday’s win, leading the way for the GIANTS in his first game back from a shoulder injury suffered five weeks ago in the club’s Opening Round win over Collingwood.

Cripps said Ward’s experience was crucial to his side’s win.

“It’s always nice to have players like that come through, especially for a guy like Harry Rowston. For him to have that experienced body next to him and to learn off him and get a lot more support is very beneficial. His attitude and leadership were what you’d expect of him as well.

“He had a massive game number-wise too, 33 touches and eight centre bounce clearances was huge.”

Turning his attention to the GIANTS’ next contest, a match-up with ladder-leaders Werribee at Avalon Airport on Saturday, Cripps was excited about the challenge the Tigers would present to his emerging side.

“They showed last year that they’re one of the benchmarks, and they’re sitting on top of the ladder at the moment.

“They’re a really strong defensive team so it’s going to be a great challenge for us trying to move the ball our way. More importantly, it’s going to be a great defensive test so I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”

The GIANTS and the Tigers will face off at Avalon Airport on Saturday at 12:05pm.

Cripps also shared his assessment on the 16 AFL-listed GIANTS who appeared in Saturday’s win over the Zebras.

AFL-listed GIANTS:

2. Darcy Jones

22 disposals, two goals, four clearances 

“Darcy is really building his game. He’s really understanding his role and really starting  to play with speed on both sides of the ball. He’s looking really dangerous, one, when he steps in and pressures. And two, off turnover- his ability to explode forward and have a scoreboard impact has become very prevalent.”

 8. Callan Ward 

33 disposals, 12 clearances, three tackles 

“He had a massive game.. 33 touches and eight centre bounce clearances was huge.”

9. Ryan Angwin

24 disposals, five marks 

“I’m really happy for him. He’s been the carry over for the AFL side for the last couple of weeks, so it was great to get him back and play four quarters. The way we moved the ball meant he was able to get a lick of the ice cream and he found plenty of the ball. He’s hard and tough and he plays his role week in, week out. I'm really pleased he was able to play the way he did.”

11. Braydon Preuss

Eight disposals, 15 hit-outs, three marks, two clearances 

‘Preussy’ is really building. He was able to blow the cobwebs out last week and then this week we saw some really strong contests in the air. The most pleasing thing was his follow up and his want to join in on defence and lay tackles and apply pressure. He’s really building and he’ll keep getting better.”

18. Conor Stone

18 disposals, three goals, five marks, four tackles

“He had one of his better games, especially offensively. He had 10 score involvements and kicked three goals, he was really dangerous. He plays multiple roles for us and he’s learning those and executing them at a high level.”

21. Leek Aleer 

14 disposals, six marks

“Another solid game from Leek. He led the way down there. Some of his defensive decisions were a really good standard and he’s getting more and more confidence with wanting to join in on our offense every week.”

24. Harry Rowston

 30 disposals, four clearances

“He was really tough once again. He’s hard and tough and he cracks in. He’s still learning exactly what his game is going to look like, both offensively and defensively, but he’s trained really hard and working really hard on those things and they’ll keep evolving for him.”

29. Phoenix Gothard 

11 disposals, two goals, five tackles 

“He really showed some good traits. He looked really lively. His ability to play his role and apply pressure and get looks at goals was at a high level. He had an equal-high tackle count for the game and for his first official VFL game it was a good hit-out.”

31. Toby McMullin

14 disposals, one goal, four marks, four tackles, two clearances 

“His pressure and contest was really good, He’s another guy learning multiple roles and we are trying to give him time in those positions and he’s really learning. He’s not far from breaking a game open.”

34. Josh Fahey

29 disposals, one goal, seven marks

“He was good. It was a good solid defensive performance. He probably didn’t use the ball as well as he would have liked but week in and week out he gives us great drive and offense. He played with a really good mindset on the weekend.”

35. Max Gruzewski

13 disposals, four goals, six marks

“Max is really building his game with his forward patterns ahead of the ball, and he doesn’t get beaten with his contest stuff. It’s good to see his reward for effort on the scoreboard with four goals. He’s another young kid working on his craft and he’s a very coachable kid who is getting better and better.”

37. Joe Fonti 

16 disposals, three marks, two clearances

“Joe was good once again. It’s evident that every time he gets that ball he wants to run and take the game on which is a great quality for a half back. But the most important thing is his ability to want to defend, which is there. He made some really good come forward decisions. For such a young kid he’s executing his role at a really good level already.”

41. Nick Madden

12 disposals, one goal, 16 hit-outs, four clearances

“’Mads’ is a young ruckman who is honing in on his craft. The most pleasing thing is his follow up and his want to tackle and get involved in handball chains, and that was really evident on the weekend. He’s really starting to grow in his game.”

43. Cooper Hamilton 

Nine disposals, three tackles 

“You talk about playing your role, that’s him. He works his butt off and smashes the GPS every single week. He’s working his way back from a long-term injury and he’s just going to keep building in confidence and he’s another one who is not far off from having a big game.”

45. Wade Derksen

10 disposals, three marks

“’Derk’ is trying to learn what it's like being a defender and he’s working really hard. He’s doing lots of vision and starting to make some really consistent decision in terms of when he needs to compete and then with his offensive patterns as well. He’s a beautiful kick so the more we can get him involved, the better.” 

VFL Player Shoutout: Izaac Hughes 

Nine disposals, two goals, four marks

“We were a little bit under-sized there for parts of the game and he had to play a bit of a key forward role for us, and he’s only about 5’11” or six foot tall. It’s obviously a bit of a foreign position for him but I thought he looked really lively ahead of the ball. He competes really hard and gets after it and he was able to have four shots at goal. With our lack of height, I thought he gave us a really different but dynamic look.”