A brave and inexperienced GIANTS’ VFL side was unable to take down the Hawks in Box Hill on Sunday afternoon, falling by 68 points in the round 11 clash.
Fielding five GIANTS’ VFL debutants and just eight AFL-listed players, the GIANTS battled hard but were made to rue a slow start as they fell to a 20.8 (128) to 8.12 (60) loss at Fenjiu Stadium.
The home side kicked five goals in a strong opening term while the GIANTS managed only five behinds as they were unable to convert their chances in front of goal.
Toby McMullin was able to break the goal drought early in the second term with a classy snap after making the trip from Tasmania to Melbourne on Sunday morning as a late inclusion to the VFL side following his role as the sub in the club’s AFL clash with Hawthorn on Saturday.
Key forward Josh Smith registered the GIANTS’ second major soon after McMullin but the Hawks continued their strong start on their home deck to hold a 52 point half-time advantage.
While the GIANTS refused to surrender after the main break with a much-improved second half, the damage had already been done as Box Hill pushed out the final margin with a flurry of goals in red time in the final term to triumph at home.
Skipper Ryan Hebron (22 touches, eight marks) and McMullin (21 touches, seven clearances) were the leading possession-getters for the GIANTS, while promising draftee Joe Fonti (18 touches, seven marks) had some eye-catching moments off half back with his trademark run and dare on full display.
Lachlan Keeffe (16 touches, seven marks, 1.2, 18 hit-outs) put in another typical workman- like performance in his key forward/back up ruck role, while Conor Stone (14 touches, one goal) and Phoenix Gothard (13 touches, one goal) had their moments.
Promising key forward Max Gruzewski (11 touches, two goals, six marks) was also strong yet again as he pushes for an AFL debut.
Marc Sheather (17 touches, five tackles), Matt Harms (15 touches) and debutant Billy Galimberti (17 touches, five marks) were other strong contributors.
The GIANTS will look to re-bound when they host Port Melbourne in Blacktown next Sunday at 11:05am.
VFL Round 11
GIANTS: 0.5 2.7 5.10 8.12 (60)
Box Hill: 5.3. 11.5 13.6 20.8 (128)
Goals:
GIANTS: Gruzewski 2, Stone, Smith, Gothard, McMullin, Keeffe, Quigg
Box Hill: Watson 4, Ramsden 3, Thorpe 2, Cavarra 2, Bennetts 2, Anderson 2, Wood, Scaife, Mathieson, Maclean, Brown
