VFL coach Wayne Cripps has highlighted the performances of Max Gruzewski, James Leake, Nick Haynes and Conor Stone in Saturday’s seven-point win over the Casey Demons.
Played in wet and miserable conditions at Casey Fields, the GIANTS kicked four unanswered goals in the final term to come from 20 points down at the final change to register an impressive 9.4 (58) to 6.15 (51) win.
Cripps was quick to highlight Gruzewski following the win, with the 20-year-old key forward setting a new VFL career-high with five goals.
“The most pleasing part is he finally got reward for effort. He’d been knocking the door down to kick a bag and he finally did,” Cripps said.
“And there were no easy ones [goals]. They were from repeat efforts and creating a really strong contest and following that up at ground level. He worked hard for all of his goals and he was a huge target with three contested marks in those conditions as well, it was an awesome result.”
First-round draftee James Leake was another who garnered praise from Cripps, with the Tasmanian teenager finishing with 28 touches, five tackles and five clearances in another impressive game following an injury interrupted pre-season.
“’Leakey’ was going up against a pretty solid midfield group in tough conditions with lots of numbers around the footy and he battled really hard all day and got plenty of contested footy and also joined in on some of our handball chains,” Cripps said.
“For a first-year mid he’s playing really good consistent footy and really understanding what his role is going to be in that midfield group.”
Defenders Nick Haynes (28 touches and seven marks) and Conor Stone (22 touches, four marks and four tackles) rounded out the GIANTS’ best on Saturday.
“'Haynesy’ was really good in terms of just being able to win the ball back for us,” Cripps said.
“He was really good in defence but then offensively I thought he was really solid, and really tried to help us play our way. I thought he really led the way down there.”
“Then with ‘Stoney’, it was tough conditions to really play to his strengths with lots of high numbered contests, but he had a team-high possession gains for us so his ability to win the ball back for us was strong.
“Then once again, similar to ‘Haynesy,’ he really helped us play the way we wanted to in the back half.”
Winners of five of their last six matches, the GIANTS will now host the fifth-placed Box Hill in Blacktown on Sunday.
“Once again, it’s going to be a really tough game. They’re a good side in good form and they play a really goodbrand of footy. They’re one of the benchmarks of the competition. It’s going to be another really tough test for this group but once again we are looking forward to the challenge,” Cripps said.
AFL-listed GIANTS’ stats against the Casey Demons on Saturday:
9. Ryan Angwin
18 disposals, three clearances
10. Jacob Wehr
16 disposals, one goal, four tackles
18. Conor Stone
22 disposals, four marks, four tackles
19. Nick Haynes
28 disposals, seven marks
21. Leek Aleer
11 disposals, three marks
25. Lachlan Keeffe
Six disposals, 23 hit-outs, two clearances
29. Phoenix Gothard
19 disposals, five tackles
30. James Leake
25 disposals, five tackles, five clearances
35. Max Gruzewski
10 disposals, five goals, six marks (three contested)
40. Adam Kennedy
13 disposals, eight tackles
42. Nathan Wardius
Six disposals, one goal
45. Wade Derksen
19 disposals, five marks
46. Callum Brown
17 disposals, three clearances
VFL Player Shoutout: Billy Galemberti
19 disposals, four marks, four tackles
“I thought it was one of the better games he’s played. He defended strongly and won the ball back. He’s been a really exciting mid-year pick up for us. It’s probably not a coincidence that since he’s come into the side our ball movement and our form has been much improved. He’s been a really strong addition and hopefully we can keep getting some good games out of him.”
