VFL coach Wayne Cripps has once again highlighted the performances of a host of AFL-listed GIANTS pressing their claims for AFL selection in the VFL.
On Sunday the GIANTS’ VFL side put in a brave performance against top-four side Box Hill which saw them storm back from 28-points down at the final change to fall short by just a single point, losing 11.12 (78) to 10.17 (77) in a thrilling encounter.
It was a gutsy performance from the GIANTS who were fielding one of their youngest and most inexperienced sides of the season, with Sunday’s team featuring four GIANTS Academy teenagers as well as missing leading goalkicker Max Gruzewski who had been elevated to the AFL side.
Following the efforts, Cripps was full of praise for AFL veteran Nick Haynes, who finished with 39 touches and 12 marks in yet another starring performance down back as he continues to bide his time in the VFL.
“Nick Haynes was probably our best,” Cripps said.
“He defended well and was probably our best defender on the day, and then offensively as well he offered a lot once again as he’s been doing consistently.”
First-round draft pick James Leake (35 touches, eight clearances, five marks and six tackles) was another to garner praise as the Tasmanian midfielder continues his development with his best game yet in his first season at the GIANTS.
“’Leakey’ had a really good day against really experienced AFL players,” Cripps said of the 18-year-old.
“He won his fair share of footy and he’s just getting better and better. For a first-year player he’s performing really consistently each week.”
Conor Stone (25 touches, seven marks) and Wade Derksen (18 touches, 2.2, four marks) were others to impress on Sunday.
“’Stoney’ gave us great drive off the back-half as he has been doing for a while now and he’s just getting stronger and stronger,” Cripps said.
“’Then with Max [Gruzewski] going out we were a bit light on up forward and ‘Derk’ has played some good footy up forward for us previously and he provided a great target on the weekend and kicked a couple of goals which was good to see.”
Rounding out the standouts for Cripps was veteran utility Lachlan Keeffe (14 touches, 18 hit-outs, a goal, six clearances) who contributed strongly up forward and in the ruck.
“’Keeffey’ deserves a mention. Especially his last quarter in the ruck where his centre-bounce and follow-up work was outstanding. He led the way in that last quarter.”
The GIANTS’ VFL side will now travel to Queensland for a clash with the Brisbane Lions at 11:05am on Sunday at Brighton Homes Arena.
“Playing the best sides is the best way to develop our AFL [listed] players and kids coming through so it’ll be another great challenge to play some quality AFL players on Sunday,” Cripps said.
AFL-listed GIANTS’ stats against Box Hill on Sunday:
10. Jacob Wehr
19 disposals, six marks
18. Conor Stone
25 disposals, seven marks
19. Nick Haynes
39 disposals, 12 marks
21. Leek Aleer
10 disposals, four marks
25. Lachlan Keeffe
14 disposals, one goal, 18 hit-outs, six clearances
29. Phoenix Gothard
10 disposals, one goal, nine tackles
30. James Leake
35 disposals, five marks, six tackles, eight clearances
40. Adam Kennedy
22 disposals, seven marks
42. Nathan Wardius
Nine disposals, two goals, three tackles
45. Wade Derksen
18 disposals, 2.2, four marks
46. Callum Brown
Nine disposals, two marks
VFL Player Shoutout: Marc Sheather
23 disposals, five marks, four tackles, four clearances
“Coming off after a lay off with a knee injury, he came out and was straight back to doing what he does best. He’s just a competitive beast and he had a really strong physical presence.”
