Several GIANTS made strong cases for AFL selection with impressive performances in a gritty 29-point come-from-behind win over Williamstown in their VFL season opener on Saturday.

Kicking their season off in round two against the visiting Seagulls after having a bye in round one, the GIANTS trailed by seven points at the final break but stormed home with a six-goal final term to register a gutsy 14.9 (93) to 8.16 (64) win at Blacktown International Sportspark.

Played in wet and scrappy conditions not suited to key forwards, Max Gruzewski (four goals) sparked the GIANTS with back-to-back goals to start the final term as the GIANTS snatched back a lead they would never surrender as the orange tsunami stormed to victory.

Callum Brown, Toby McMullin, and Jake Riccardi followed Gruzewski’s lead in the final term, with the trio each kicking majors of their own in quick succession as the GIANTS flipped the game on its head to turn what was a seven-point deficit into a four-goal lead midway through the final term to set up the win.

Several AFL-listed GIANTS shone in the win despite the gloomy conditions, with Leek Aleer (13 disposals, five marks, nine intercept possessions) putting in an eye-catching performance down back which featured numerous intercept possessions and spoils – as well as a spectacular screamer in the wet in the opening quarter.

Fellow defender Wade Derksen (25 disposals, seven marks) was another standout against the Seagulls, while Harry Rowston (26 disposals, seven clearances, four tackles) was strong all day in conditions made for the tough inside midfielder.

Harvey Thomas (19 disposals, five tackles) was also a noteworthy contributor as he showcased his class and creativity across half-forward in his first game of the season, as was Riccardi (22 disposals, four clearances, one goal), Joe Fonti (19 disposals, four tackles), and McMullin (12 disposals, two goals) who worked his way into the game and finished off his day with a strong final term.

Several of the club’s exciting youngsters also showed promising signs in their first official hit-out of 2025, with draftees Cody Angove, Harry Oliver, Jack Ough, and Josaia Delana all showing their talent.

Ough in particular was brilliant against the Seagulls, with the tall midfielder finishing his VFL debut with 22 disposals, seven tackles and five clearances to his name, with his skills and decision-making in traffic a highlight.

Brown (13 disposals, one goal) also had his moments despite the tough conditions, while crafty forward Nathan Wardius (12 disposals, two goals) was dangerous throughout.

Talented young ruck Nick Madden (13 disposals, 30 hit-outs and five clearances) also continued his emergence with another strong showing in the win.

Leading the way for the VFL-listed GIANTS was skipper Ryan Hebron (two goals), tough midfielder Marc Sheather (16 disposals, 10 tackles, one goal), and VFL debutant Louie Montgomery (23 disposals, four marks) who looked right at home in his first VFL outing.

Meanwhile tough forward Izzac Hughes made a successful return to footy in his first official match since suffering a traumatic head injury last year against Werribee in round four.

The GIANTS will now look to make it two in a row to start their VFL season when they host Sandringham in round three next Sunday.

VFL Round 2

GIANTS                     1.3    5.4   8.7   14.9 (93)
Williamstown           1.5    5.9   8.14 8.16 (64)

Goalkickers

GIANTS:  Gruzewski 4, Wardius 2, McMullin 2, Hebron 2, Sheather, Riccardi, Brown, Delana
Williamstown: McHale 2, Hollow 2, Ebinger 2, McLaughlin, Colenso