The GIANTS' star-studded midfield unit is starting to look imposing once more.
The GIANTS' important 11-point win over Hawthorn at Spotless Stadium on Saturday night was built on some impressive numbers, with Leon Cameron's onballers back to their best over the past month and the club sitting inside the top eight after round 15.
The GIANTS smashed the Hawks in contested possessions (190-135) and clearances (51-28), with their work at around the ground stoppages simply outstanding.
Led by co-captain Callan Ward (18 contested possessions and 11 clearances), Stephen Coniglio (13 and seven) and Dylan Shiel (12 and 8), plus Josh Kelly and Jacob Hopper, the GIANTS dominated in close despite Hawk Tom Mitchell's solo effort of 50 disposals, 13 tackles
"Our guys really put their heads over the footy and to win contested footy by plus 50 (was pleasing)," Cameron said after the win.
"Our tackling has a got a lot better since the bye and we need to make sure we keep improving in that area to support our contested possession.
"I thought our first half, other than the scoreboard was some of the best footy we've played all year.
"Our work as a collective around the source was pretty good."
Big man Rory Lobb made an impact in his shock return from a back injury, with even his coach happily surprised by his three first-term goals playing as a permanent forward.
"If you had asked me Monday I didn't think he would have played," he said.
"But we thought we could stretch them in the front half and I think we did.
"We went in with a plan to kick it long and lock it in our front half a little bit more but we've got to find that right balance of uncontested marks inside 50 and not bombing it 15
"I thought the boys did well."
Cameron also praised Patton's impact late in the final term when he kicked a clutch goal to seal the win, despite a poor night that included three behinds and an out of bounds on the full from his four prior shots at goal.
"That was a big kick in the end, there was a lot of pressure (on him)," he said.
"No doubt there were a lot of demons in his head from missing a number of goals and dropped marks.
"But he's presenting and it'll turn, the footy gods will look down on him."
