An incredible performance from Nick Madden helped the GIANTS pull off another comeback for their third straight VFL victory after taking down North Melbourne by 27-points at Blacktown International Sportspark on Friday afternoon.  

Eerily similar to last week’s win over Werribee for the first three terms, the GIANTS trailed for the majority of Friday’s clash before finishing with a flurry to run out 13.16 (94) to 9.13 (67) winners on the back of Madden and a host of other AFL-listed GIANTS.

Dealt a blow moments before the first bounce when ruckman Braydon Preuss was withdrawn as a precaution with hamstring tightness, the GIANTS were slow out of the blocks as the’ Roos jumped out to a 10-point quarter-time lead.

Plagued by inaccuracy in front of goal while the visitors made the most of their opportunities, the GIANTS trailed for the majority of the first half until a trio of nice goals from Conor Stone, Harry Rowston and Joel Rush - who was the late in for Preuss - gave the GIANTS their first lead of the match on the eve of half-time.

Holding a slim three-point lead entering the second half, the GIANTS ascendancy was short-lived as the ‘Roos rebounded to kick three of the first four goals inside the first seven minutes of the third term to jump back out to a two-goal lead.

The GIANTS swung back with a surge of their own late in the third period as Lachlan Keeffe kicked back-to-back goals to inspire his side before Max Gruzewski joined in on the action moments later as the GIANTS took a nine-point lead into the final break despite trailing for most of the day.

While the visitors cut the lead back to three points with a quick goal to start the final term, it was the closest North Melbourne would get as Gruzewski bagged back-to-back majors of his own, the second being a beautiful set shot from the boundary line, to push the lead to 17 points midway through the final term.

The GIANTS were unchallenged from there as they piled on two more goals in junk time to register their third consecutive win following impressive victories over Sandringham and Werribee in the past two weeks.

Several AFL-listed GIANTS shone in the win but none more than Madden who backed up the best game of his career last week with arguably a better outing against the ‘Roos.

Playing without his ruck sidekick Preuss, the 19-yearold hulking ruckman continuously found space and got involved in handball chains to finish with an incredible statline of 31 disposals, a massive 14 clearances, seven tackles, eight marks and 33 hit-outs in another best on ground display.

Conor Stone also continued his blistering form, with the dynamic mid-forward finishing with 17 touches, three goals and six clearances.

Stone has now kicked three goals in each of the GIANTS’ last three games to go along with an average of almost 19 touches per game.

Josh Fahey (39 touches) and Harry Rowston (24 touches and seven tackles) also found plenty of the ball, while Nick Haynes (35 touches and 17 marks) pressed his claims for a senior recall in a starring game down back alongside Wade Derksen (23 touches and 13 marks).

Keeffe (four goals) made the most of his opportunitie s- with all four of his goals remarkably coming from the goal square- while Gruzewski (three goals) was quiet for most of the first three quarters before helping the GIANTS get the win with two crucial final-term goals.

Toby McMullin (20 touches, six tackles) also impressed while Isaac Cumming (21 touches, eight marks) looked above the level with his composure and skill on full display in his first game of the year after overcoming a pre-season calf injury.

Winners of three in a row, the GIANTS will next face their cross-town rivals as they meet the Swans at the SCG at 5:15pm next Saturday following the AFL clash between the two clubs earlier in the afternoon.

VFL Round 5

GIANTS: 2.4.  5.9. 9.13 13.16 (94)
Kangaroos: 4.2.  5.6.  8.10 9.13 (67)

Goals: 

GIANTS: Keeffe 4, Gruzewski 3, Stone 3, Harms, Rowston, Rush
Kangaroos: Sellers 3, Maley 2, Stephenson 2, Shiels, Taylor