The GIANTS’ VFL side put in a brave performance but was unable to hand Footscray its first defeat of the year in Blacktown on Saturday as the ‘Dogs continued their unbeaten season with a 45-point win.
Giving up a five goal to one opening term against a strong breeze, the GIANTS remained within striking distance of the ladder-leaders for most of the day until a big final quarter from the visitors saw them triumph 16.13 (109) to 9.19 (64).
Led by strong performances from James Peatling, Toby McMullin and Wade Derksen, the GIANTS found themselves down by just 11 points early in the final term after impressive youngster Max Gruzewski kicked his second major of the day.
That margin was the closest the GIANTS would get however as Footscray flexed their muscles in the final 20 minutes to kick six of the final seven goals to record their seventh straight win.
Several GIANTS can hold their heads high despite the loss, with Peatling the best of the bunch in his first VFL game of the season following six AFL appearances to date this year.
The speedy midfielder was quick to assert himself on the game with 12 touches and a goal in a blistering opening term before finishing with 25 touches, 10 clearances and three goals - including a brilliant running check side goal in the third term to keep the GIANTS in touch.
McMullin (21 touches, three clearances, three tackles) and Harry Rowston (19 touches) were also strong alongside Peatling in the middle, while Derksen (14 touches, four marks) continued his emergence down back with a terrific game often manned against AFL Bulldog Rory Lobb.
While yet to make his AFL debut and up against a key forward with 163 games of AFL experience, Derksen more than held his own in a commendable performance to keep Lobb to just 1.1 for the day.
Meanwhile Lachlan Keeffe (15 touches, seven marks, one goal) and Gruzewski (nine touches, five marks, two goals) presented strongly up forward all day in tough breezy conditions for forwards.
Exciting draftee Phoenix Gothard (14 touches, 1.3) was also dangerous in attack, while Josh Fahey (18 touches) was his usual rebounding self.
Meanwhile Nick Madden continued his strong form the day after his 20th birthday with 15 touches, 24 hit-outs, eight clearances, four tackles and a goal.
Now sitting at 3-4 on the season, the GIANTS will look to rebound next week when they face the Cats in Geelong on Saturday in a curtain-raiser to the twilight AFL clash between the clubs at GMHBA Stadium.
VFL Round 8
GIANTS: 1. 3. 3.7 7.9 9.10 (64)
Footscray: 5.3 6.5. 10.9. 16.13 (109)
Goals:
GIANTS: Peatling 3, Gruzewski 2, Gothard, Keeffe, Madden, Smith
Footscray: Bedendo 4, McNeil 3, Croft 2, Poulter 2, Scott 2, Clarke, Lobb, Willoughby
