A starring five-goal haul from Max Gruzewski helped the GIANTS register a thrilling seven-point comeback win over the Casey Demons in wet and gloomy conditions in the VFL at Casey Fields on Saturday afternoon.
Entering the final term down by 20 points, the Orange Tsunami stormed home with five unanswered goals to register a gutsy 9.4 (58) to 6.15 (51) win away from home.
Gruzewski was undoubtedly the match-winner, with the 20-year-old key forward kicking the GIANTS’ first five goals of the game in a brilliant one-man show up forward.
Now winners of five of their last six matches, Gruzewski got the GIANTS off to a strong start with the opening two goals of the game before the home side hit back with the next four majors to take control in the windy and slippery conditions.
While Gruzewski added a third in the second term, it was the GIANTS’ only goal for the quarter as the Demons held the ascendancy to take an eight-point lead into the main break.
Gruzewski added a fourth in the third term but again it was the GIANTS’ only major for the quarter, while the Demons kicked two of their own despite some wayward kicking in front of goal to hold a 20-point advantage entering the final term.
Needing a spark, who else to get the GIANTS up and going to start the final term than Gruzewski, with the youngster kicking a brilliant dribble goal – and in doing so setting a new VFL career-high with five goals – to breathe new life into his side.
Gruzewski had an opportunity for a sixth moments later but unselfishly passed it off to teammate Jacob Wehr who converted truly from a better angle to cut the margin to 11.
Nathan Wardius continued the GIANTS’ surge moments later after he marked and goaled in the goal square following some nice play from Callum Brown to trim the deficit to just six midway through the final term.
After VFL Skipper Ryan Hebron was awarded a high free kick in front of goal not long later and converted truly, the GIANTS and the Demons were tied at 51 points apiece to set up a thrilling final 10 minutes.
With scores deadlocked for several minutes as both sides struggled to get the ball forward cleanly, it was Brown who burst clear with the ball from a contest inside-50 but his attempt at a match-winning goal was just off the mark as it sailed through for a point.
Now down by one in the dying moments, the Demons tried surging forward from their back half but to no avail as the GIANTS re-gained possession and found Academy youngster Josaia Delana alone deep inside-50 as he ran in to kick the match-sealing goal just moments before the siren sounded.
While Gruzewski was the standout up forward to finish with a highly efficient 11 touches, six marks and 5.1, in the middle it was recent first-round draftee James Leake who showed once again he has the tools to make it at AFL level with another strong performance.
The Tasmanian midfielder led from the front all day despite his youth, with the 18-year-old finishing with 25 touches, five tackles and six clearances as he continues to impress.
Nick Haynes was another who continues to star at VFL level, with the 32-year-old finishing with 26 touches and six marks in another impressive performance down back.
Conor Stone also continued his stellar VFL form to keep his name in AFL consideration, with the powerful youngster finishing with 22 touches, five marks and four tackles against the Demons.
Wade Derksen (18 touches, five marks) and Wehr (15 touches, a goal) were also solid, while Ryan Angwin (17 touches, three clearances) also contributed strongly.
Last year’s number 12 pick Phoenix Gothard (14 touches, five tackles) had his moments against the Demons, while Adam Kennedy (13 touches, seven tackles) was again strong in his return to footy as pushes for AFL selection following his fifth game back from an ACL.
The GIANTS’ VFL side will next host Box Hill at Blacktown next Sunday at 11:05am.
VFL Round 18
GIANTS: 2.2 3.3 4.3 9.4 (58)
Demons: 2.2 4.5 6.11 6.15 (51)
Goals:
GIANTS: Gruzewski 5, Wehr, Delana, Wardius, Hebron
Demons: Yze, White, Verrall, Jefferson, Fullarton, Bell
