GIANTS VFL coach Wayne Cripps has sung the praises of several young GIANTS after impressive performances in the VFL on the weekend.
Overcoming a slow start, the GIANTS stormed home in wet and windy conditions to beat the Swans by 14 points at Blacktown on Saturday.
Keys to the victory were the performances of a host of the club’s best emerging talent, with key forward Aaron Cadman (18 touches, 2 goals 3 behinds and six marks) and dashing defender Joe Fonti both super impressive in the win.
Fonti, taken with pick 44 in last year's draft, once again showed his dash and dare off half-back as he finished with 23 touches and a brilliant running goal to continue his push for an AFL debut.
“It was another really solid performance from Joe,” Cripps said.
“Obviously he kicked a nice goal on the run, but he just gives us such good drive and overlap and his ability to join in our attack and keep supporting our attack is first class.
“But probably the most pleasing thing, as a first-year player and a first-year defender, is just how much he values defence. He’s getting better and better in that space each week and he’s really starting to show those AFL traits and he’s starting to hopefully bang the door down [for AFL selection].”
His recent draft class teammate Phoenix Gothard (20 touches, one goal) is also building a strong case for AFL consideration after another impressive outing.
“Late in the third term we moved him into the midfield because we thought he could give us those fast feet and a bit of a different look and he certainly did that,” Cripps said.
“He’s another one who is consistently having impact on games for us now. First-year players can go in and out of form a little bit but he’s consistently playing solid footy week-in and week-out.”
Meanwhile, speed machine Darcy Jones (15 touches, 2 goals 5 behinds) put his name firmly in contention for an AFL recall after a stellar return following a month out with a hamstring injury.
“Darcy showed what he can bring our team at both levels [AFL and VFL]. He’s just got that electric turn of speed on ground level and getting back to goal. If he had kicked a little straighter he could have had a really big day out with seven shots on goal.
“But the most pleasing part was once that ball hit the ground, his step-in and his pressure ended up creating a lot of perceived pressure on the opposition as the day went on and he forces you [the opposition] into turnover.”
Also giving special mention to the performances of Conor Stone, Lachlan Keeffe and draftee James Leake, Cripps said another highlight of Saturday’s win was the return of Adam Kennedy who played his first game in over 400 days following his rehab from an ACL injury.
“It was great to see ‘Kenners’ [Kennedy] return. He’ll probably admit he felt a bit rusty out there but he found the ball and he got involved in our handball chains and defended really well,” Cripps said.
“More than anything it’s just great to see him get back out there and get through it and he’s only going to get better for the run.”
After Saturday’s win, the GIANTS will next head north to Queensland for a clash with the second-placed Southport on Saturday at 11:05am.
AFL-listed GIANTS’ stats against Port Melbourne on Sunday:
2. Darcy Jones (managed game time)
15 disposals, two goals, six tackles
5. Aaron Cadman
18 disposals, two goals, six marks, three tackles
10. Jacob Wehr
14 disposals
13. Isaac Cumming (managed game time)
12 disposals, six marks
18. Conor Stone
19 disposals, seven marks
24. Harry Rowston
21 disposals, six clearances, four tackles
25. Lachlan Keeffe
16 disposals, 11 hit-outs, two goals, five marks
29. Phoenix Gothard
20 disposals, one goal, four marks
30. James Leake (managed game time)
13 disposals, four tackles, three clearances
37. Joe Fonti
23 disposals, one goal, six marks, four tackles
40. Adam Kennedy (managed game time)
17 disposals, three marks
42. Nathan Wardius (managed game time)
13 disposals, one goal, nine marks
45. Wade Derksen
23 disposals, seven marks
VFL Player Shoutout: Jackson Bowne
22 disposals, 10 clearances, 15 score involvements, four tackles
“He’s shown in his last two weeks [playing] in the midfield that he’s just a competitive beast. He had 15 score involvements and 10 clearances which are unbelievable numbers. He’s got fast feet in there and he’s a ball winner that values defence and he’s had great impact. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that since he’s gone in there [midfield], our form has turned around a little bit.”
