The NEAFL GIANTS have recorded a heart-stopping draw with the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Saturday. 

Zach Sproule starred for the GIANTS with four goals in the NEAFL’s first draw of the 2018 season, with both sides deadlocked at 14.15 (99) on the final siren. 

It was an impressive performance from the young GIANTS who were hit by the late withdraw of ruck Matt Flynn before the game and a concussion to GIANTS Academy player Matt McGrory in the second quarter. 

The GIANTS were also without Isaac Cumming after half time, with the Broken Hill product on limited game time as he travelled to Adelaide as the GIANTS’ emergency the following day in their AFL clash with Port Adelaide. 

Despite their setbacks, the NEAFL GIANTS led the experienced Lions at each break but with just two on the bench on the final term they were chased down in a thrilling final quarter.

GIANTS NEAFL coach Adam Schneider said he was pleased with his side’s performance, given the challenges the young side faced.

“We went up there as underdogs, it was a tough ask as we were going up against a quality opposition with a lot of midfielders who have played a lot of AFL,” he said.

“We had boys dropping like flies but the effort was fantastic, they showed great character to hang on and draw the game which is why it’s probably one of our best games for the year I think. 

“I could not have been happier with the boys.”

The NEAFL GIANTS take on Sydney University at Spotless Stadium on Saturday, July 28 at 1:10pm as a curtain raiser to the GIANTS v St Kilda clash at 4:35pm.

BRISBANE 2.4, 8.4, 11.11, 14.15 (99)
GIANTS      4.3, 8.9, 12.12, 14.15 (99)

GOALS

GIANTS: Sproule 4; Buckley 3; Peatling, Bonar 2; Banuelos, Lloyd, Finlayson

GIANTS NEAFL coach Adam Schneider on the GIANTS’ AFL Listed Players:

Nick Shipley 

“Nick had a pretty good start to the game but pulled up with a sore ankle in the third quarter which wasn’t great. He was starting to find a fair bit of the footy for us and was contributing well.”

Dylan Buckley 

“He was our little angry ant down forward – Ant-Man he calls himself – and he was fantastic for us on the day. He had 11 score involvements, was always on the move and was very dangerous when the ball was near him. Really, really good day for him and he was also captain for us and he made the players around him even better.” 

Zach Sproule 

“He had a very good game kicking four goals. His work rate was high and the most impressive thing about Zach on the weekend was a couple of his defensive moments; some chase down tackles and his attack on the contest. It was another good game by Zach.”

Tim Mohr

“Mr Reliable down back again, he’s rarely beaten. I think one of the areas of his game that he’s really improved on is his use of the ball by foot. It was fantastic as he got up the ground a bit higher and really set us up.” 

Isaac Cumming

“He was probably playing one of his best games of the last four or five weeks, he was really fantastic. He got his run off half-back going again and used the ball really well, and didn’t get beaten in a one-on-one. Also won some really big balls in the contest so it really hurt us to lose him at half time but it was a great half nonetheless.”

Jake Stein

“Great game by Jake again, he played on Connor Ballenden their big ruck who only kicked one goal. It was a solid game by him again and he halves the contest at times when he shouldn’t. He’s probably one of our most improved players which is really great to see.”

Jack Buckley 

“He copped a massive knee-on-knee collision in the first quarter and you could tell as he was running around that he was pretty sore. It was a brave effort by him to finish the game for us.”

Jeremy Finlayson 

“Jeremy with ball in hand was sensational for us. When he gets the ball he’s got a great leg and he kicked a goal from about 70 metres out from a set shot which was very team lifting. We threw him everywhere during the day, back, forward and midfield and he played a part in some big contests for us in the last quarter.”

Aiden Bonar 

“Probably the best all-round game I’ve seen from Aiden this year. Offensively we know how good he is but defensively some of the stuff he’s been working on very hard with Damian Trusslove (GIANTS Development Coach) in his reviews is his defensive stuff. It was fantastic on Saturday he had six or seven tackles and did a lot of chasing which was super, and then he pushed forward and was rewarded with a couple of goals.”

Daniel Lloyd 

“It was an interesting game for Daniel, he’s a workhorse, running up and back all day. He had a solid game laid eight tackles as well but was in and out of the game at times. He kicked a magnificent goal in the last quarter to set us alight and give us a good chance of winning.”