GIANTS VFL coach Wayne Cripps says inconsistency is letting his side down of late but believes there’s still a number of GIANTS working hard to put their name in the ring for AFL selection.

The GIANTS lost to the undefeated Footscray by 45 points in blustery conditions in Blacktown on Saturday but despite the defeat there were still strong performances from several AFL-listed GIANTS.

James Peatling was the standout with a team-high 25 touches and 10 clearances to go along three goals in his first VFL game of the year, while Toby McMullin (22 touches, three clearances, three tackles) and Harry Rowston (19 touches) were also strong in their bids for their first AFL games of the season.

Untried young key forward Max Gruzewski (two goals) continued his impressive VFL form, while Lachlan Keeffe (15 touches, seven marks, one goal) had a strong presence in attack.

Exciting teenager Phoenix Gothard (15 touches, one goal, six tackles) also continues to show his talent following another solid outing.

Cripps said helping players push for AFL selection remains the number one objective.

“That’s always the goal and what we are trying to achieve,” he said.

“There’s guys coming back [from the AFL side] who are trying to find some form but there’s also some of these younger guys who are starting to build some really consistent football.

“Toby McMullin and Harry Rowston are becoming really consistent through the midfield, and some of these young guys like Joe Fonti, who keeps learning the system and showing his traits, are only going to get better and better and hopefully they can keep putting their name forward.”

Cripps was also full of praise for young forward-turned-defender Wade Derksen (15 touches, four marks) who continued his development on Saturday with a strong showing against Bulldog Rory Lobb – holding the 163-game AFL forward to just one goal.

“We gave that match-up to ‘Derk’ [Derksen] to go up against Lobb and I think he did a really good job,” Cripps said.

“He [Lobb] only took the two marks inside 50 and didn’t have a huge influence forward of the ball.

“I was really proud of the way ‘Derk’ handled the match-up and he was one of the ones who really gave that great effort and attitude for four quarters.”

The GIANTS were within 11 points of Footscray early in the final term on Saturday but fell away late to go down by seven goals, with Cripps lamenting his side’s ability to play four quarters of consistent football.

“There are just some inconsistencies in our game at the moment,” he said.

“They got on top around the stoppages, especially in the first half which gave them the territory battle. We got on top of that in the second half and sort of got the game back on our terms but there are just some inconsistencies with how we are trying to move the ball.”

Cripps is remaining upbeat despite the current 3-4 ledger after seven games.

“We’ve been in every game this year and been in every last quarter which is the pleasing thing,” Cripps said.

“When the game is on the line, whether we are in front or if we are chasing, we have been putting ourselves in positions to win games so that’s probably the most positive thing to take out if it.”

The GIANTS will next take on the Cats in Geelong as a curtain-raiser to the AFL clash between the sides at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Cripps also shared his assessment on each of the 12 AFL-listed GIANTS in Saturday’s game against Footscray. 

AFL-listed GIANTS: 

9. Ryan Angwin   

12 disposals

“Once again he’s developing down back and he had some really good moments with the defensive side of his game. It was a tough day when you’re losing from stoppage and the ball is coming down a lot but he’s really going well down there."

20. James Peatling

25 disposals, 10 clearances, three tackles, three goals

“He was super. It was a tough day around stoppage for us but he probably led the way, especially around centre bounce. He found a lot of the footy and even hit the scoreboard with three goals. When guys are dropped from the AFL side you hope they come back and play the way ‘JP’ did.”

24. Harry Rowston 

19 disposals, seven marks, three tackles 

“I’m really pleased with how he’s trending, especially the outside part of his game. His running patterns offensively are becoming a lot more consistent and he’s starting to get some looks from that. Once again he was really strong around the contest and he’s just playing really good consistent football at the moment.”

25. Lachlan Keeffe 

15 disposals, seven marks, one goal, eight hit-outs

“It was good to see him take a couple of really good opportunities with some strong contested marks, he hit the scoreboard and he gave us some good looks when he went into the ruck. He was a great link up for us between the arcs so it was a really typical ‘Keeffey’ game.”

29. Phoenix Gothard   

15 disposals, one goal, six tackles   

“He played his role really well in our system. He had a game-high six tackles and had four shots on goal. If he had finished off his work he would have had a real day out. For a first-year player he’s doing a terrific job understanding our system and playing with great energy.”

31. Toby McMullin   

22 disposals, five marks, three tackles, three clearances

“He is another one who once again is learning his role in that midfield group. He really showed the craft he’s got around contest and his ability to get out of traffic and how clean he is – plus he’s such a great user of the footy. Once he puts it all together, I think he’s going to be a promising midfielder for us.” 

34. Josh Fahey 

19 disposals, five marks

“He did some really good things for us and obviously got hurt right on the final siren. He spent some time on the wing and down back and as always he’s such a great offensive threat for us and a great leader and it’s unfortunate he got hurt.” 

35. Max Gruzewski  

Nine disposals, two goals, five marks 

“It was unfortunately a sign of our day with these broken chains of our offence between the arcs where he was probably going to get on the end but unfortunately it broke down. But he took a couple of nice contested marks and kicked a couple of nice goals.”

37. Joe Fonti     

Nine disposals, four marks 

“We had a little bit of a different role for Joe for parts of the day in how we wanted to set up behind the ball and what it looked like and he would have got some great learnings out of that. As a first-year players it’s just a matter of finding consistency in your game and that’s something Joe is working towards.”  

41. Nick Madden   

15 disposals, eight clearances, 24 hit-outs, four marks, four tackles

“He competed really hard all day in the ruck. He had eight clearances and four tackles and his follow-up work is becoming really consistent.”

43. Cooper Hamilton   

14 disposals, four marks, five tackles 

“It was good to see Cooper get a fair bit of the footy this week. His defensive pressure has been really good and he had five tackles again from the wing which is a solid number. His ability to get back and play his role is getting to a strong level so hopefully he can just get that consistency in his game in terms of finding the footy.”

45. Wade Derksen   

15 disposals, four marks  

“He had an important role for us down back on Lobb and I thought he nullified him really strongly and was also able to give us some really good drive with his offence.” 

VFL Player Shoutout: Marc Sheather

15 touches, six tackles, three clearances

“It wasn’t his best day out, but he just came back and had a crack and he really led the way with how much of a competitive beast he is as that’s what we expect of all our players. He came back and had six tackles and was really strong in the contest and he’s only going to get better now he can get some continuity into his footy.”