Plenty of AFL talent impressed in the club’s VFL practice match win over Southport at GIANTS HQ on Saturday, with several players putting their name in contention for AFL selection for next week’s Opening Round clash with Collingwood.
Featuring 15 AFL-listed GIANTS, the club’s VFL side impressed in searing conditions to record a 112-86 win at Tom Wills Oval.
A host of the club’s promising youngsters put in strong performances in the win, with Cody Angove continuing his hot summer alongside good showings from Jake Riccardi, Harvey Thomas, Harry Rowston, and Josaia Delana.
Following up from last week’s starring performance in the practice match against the Swans, Angove was again a standout on the wing as he pushes his case for an early season AFL debut.
With his strong work rate up and down the wing on full display, the first-round draft pick was involved in numerous attacking chains while again showcasing his elite tackle pressure.
Headlining another strong outing from the West Australian teenager was a nice running goal in the second term set up from some brilliance at half forward from Riccardi who looked a level above in Saturday’s VFL hit out.
Taking several strong marks and involved in numerous scoring chains, Riccardi was the GIANTS’ best ahead of the footy against the Sharks as he looks to return to his best in 2025 after missing the latter part of the 2024 season with a finger injury.
AFL-listed midfield duo Rowston and Toby McMullin also had strong moments through the VFL hit out as they both look to become more permanent fixtures in the club’s AFL side this season.
Likewise Thomas was also impressive against the Sharks, with his class and pressure on full display as he looks to build on last year’s brilliant debut AFL season.
Delana was another who stood out in Saturday’s clash, with the Category B Rookie kicking two opening term goals and playing a hand in a host of others to continue his impressive maiden summer at the club as he too looks to break through for an AFL debut this season.
Fellow draftee Harry Oliver also showed good signs against the Sharks and was also able to hit the scoreboard with a first-quarter goal.
Others to impress were Wade Derksen who was strong in the air down back and used the ball well as usual, emerging ruckman Nick Madden who moved across the ground well after a huge summer building his tank, and Leek Aleer who spoiled well and provided some nice dash out of defence.
Untried Category B Rookie Nathan Wardius also performed well, with the mid-sized forward showing off some of his tricks with a nice cameo performance across half forward.
Dashing defender Joe Fonti had his moments throughout the day as he looks to add to his five AFL games from last season.
Leading the way for the VFL-listed GIANTS were a pair of familiar faces, with tough midfielder Marc Sheather and skipper Ryan Hebron both performing strongly.
Tough around the footy as always, Sheather was also able to hit the scoreboard with a nice running goal in the third term as the GIANTS flexed their muscles to push away from the visiting Sharks.
Hebron also hit the scoreboard on Saturday after the skipper was moved forward against Southport where he took some strong marks and competed well ahead of the footy.
Boom recruit Jake Stringer was due to play in the first quarter of Saturday’s VFL practice match but left the track with precautionary hamstring tightness and will be evaluated in the coming days.
Kieren Briggs, who was a late out for the club’s AFL clash with Carlton on Friday, did not take part in the VFL practice match but completed a lengthy training session prior to the hit-out and is expected to be ready for the club’s Opening Round meeting with Collingwood next Sunday.
The GIANTS’ VFL side will open their season on Saturday, March 29 against Williamstown in Blacktown after having the bye in round one.
