The Greater Western Sydney GIANTS are charging towards their first NEAFL finals campaign with three wins in a row.
The young club will take on Northern Territory Thunder, who is sitting on top of the Northern Conference NEAFL ladder, this Saturday August 6 at Blacktown International Sports Park at 1pm.
Last time these two sides met was at the beginning of July when Thunder won a fast paced battle at TIO Stadium by 49 points.
GIANTS reporter Beck Mills caught up with #20 Alex Carey to find out what the side will be focusing on in Saturday’s clash against NT and how the team is preparing for their first finals berth.
Alex the GIANTS have won three games in a row now, is the team’s focus now on preparing for NEAFL finals?
We will play finals but at the moment we’re looking at Saturday’s game against NT Thunder.
If we win against NT on Saturday, it will do a lot for our confidence going in to finals.
What will be the sides main focus for Saturday’s match?
We’ve done a lot of work on tackling already this week. We will need to make sure that we tackle hard and keep a lot of pressure on the NT Thunder boys because they are bigger bodies. That will be the key against them.
What about your personal aims?
Personally I will have the same aim as I have had for the last few weeks. I’ll try to kick a goal or two and just run hard from the forward line into the backline to help out at both ends.
Last time the GIANTS played Thunder at TIO Stadium you were beaten, is the team excited about having another chance to take them on this Saturday?
Yes we are. The game is at our home ground and we don’t like to lose here. They will be missing a few players as well so I think we have a good chance.
What learning can the side take into Saturday’s clash from last week’s win over Tuggeranong?
We started off really well and played great footy in the first half against Tuggeranong. In the second half they started off well and got a few quick goals so we just need to keep the pressure on so the opposition can’t get any momentum going.
How are the GIANTS feeling about the approaching NEAFL finals?
We will have a strong team for finals with a few players back in the side. Steve Clifton will come back in the next couple of weeks and big Andrew Phillips as well.
You were a member of the Team GWS TAC Cup side so you’ve been at the club longer than most of the GIANTS staff, how are you feeling so close to our entry into the AFL in 2012?
It’s been really good to watch the club grow.
Personally I’ve learnt a lot and developed a lot in the last two years and I couldn’t be happier with how far I’ve come. We’ve worked hard and we’ve gelled together really well as a team.
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GIANTS v NT Thunder
Blacktown International Sports Park
SATURDAY, August 6
Gates open 9am
Match starts 1pm
What’s on?
• GIANTS v NT Thunder match 2pm
• Junior GIANTS Game Day Clinic
• GIANT Fan Zone inc; GIANT inflatable AFL skills wall featuring kicking, handball game and high marking
• Meet GIANTS players and get an autograph
Tickets
Entry to Blacktown International Sports Park is FREE on Saturday
