The Swans ran out 24-point winners in a pre-season practice match at Blacktown International Sportspark on Friday but it was all about the next generation and the return of Shane Mumford for the GIANTS.
Led by a best-on-ground effort from third-year midfielder Tim Taranto, the GIANTS started slow before clicking into gear in the second half.
Taranto and fellow young gun Jacob Hopper led the midfield brigade while Harry Himmelberg was joined by rucks Matt Flynn and Kieren Briggs in a makeshift forward line.
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Coach Leon Cameron said he was pleased to get the first hit-out of the season under the belt with all 26 players coming through unscathed.
“We were a bit scrappy early I thought but the second half was pleasing,” Cameron said.
“We know the areas we need to work on including our ball movement, but I think our work in the contest got better and better as the game went on.”
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Daniel Lloyd was the only multiple goal-kicker for the GIANTS, presenting strongly for the entire match while Brent Daniels was lively up forward and through the midfield.
“I thought everyone had their moments,” Cameron said.
“Daniels continued on his excellent pre-season form, as did Lloyd, while our midfield led by Taranto and Hopper really got going after half-time.
“Perryman also had a good game.”
2018 draftees Briggs, Jye Caldwell, Jackson Hately and Connor Idun pulled on the GIANTS colours for their first game with Caldwell particularly impressive around the stoppages.
“The new boys all played in their positions and showed signs of some really good play,” Cameron said.
“They were all tough and put their head over the footy.
“They would have all had some nervous moments but they equally they had some moments where you can tell they’re looking forward to getting their AFL careers started.”
Hulking ruckman Shane Mumford played his first AFL game in over 12 months when he came on in the second half to replace Dawson Simpson.
He made his presence felt from his first touch of the footy, laying a big tackle inside the forward 50. Mumford looked like he hadn’t skipped a beat, starting in the goal square before moving into the ruck across the remainder of the game.
“We were rapt with the half of footy he played,” Cameron said.
“If he pulls up well we’ll work out over the coming days if he’ll feature in the JLT Community Series given we know he won’t play the first two games of the season.”
The GIANTS were without stars Phil Davis, Callan Ward, Stephen Coniglio and Lachie Whitfield who will all line up in the AFLX tournament in Melbourne tonight.
Regular senior players Jeremy Cameron, Josh Kelly, Toby Greene, Heath Shaw and Brett Deledio didn’t play but are expected to feature in the JLT Community Series over the next fortnight.
The GIANTS take on the Swans once again next week at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday, March 2 with free entry for all.
GIANTS 7.10 (52)
Swans 12.4 (76)
Goals: Daniel Lloyd 2; Harry Perryman, Sam Reid, Tim Taranto, Zach Sproule, Brent Daniels 1.
