Strong performances by Nick Shipley, Harry Perryman and Jacob Hopper and the return of Ryan Griffen wasn’t enough to get the GIANTS’ Reserves over the line against the Swans’ Reserves in a NEAFL practice match.

The game was evenly poised at half time before the Swans blew the game wide open in the third term, kicking six unanswered goals.

The fast-finishing GIANTS couldn’t get over the line with the final four goals of the game, losing 8.9 (57) to the Swans’ 13.10 (88) at Tom Wills Oval on Saturday. 

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“It was a great hit out between the two clubs, it was a really high standard game which was really good to see,” GIANTS NEAFL coach Adam Schneider said.

“Both teams will come off pretty happy with how things went. We play them again this weekend so we have to turn the scores around.”

GIANTS 8.9 (57)

Swans 13.10 (88)

The GIANTS’ Reserves play the Swans’ Reserves in round one of the 2018 NEAFL season at the SCG on Saturday, April 7 at 3:45pm before Sydney Derby XIV between the Swans and the GIANTS at 7:25pm.

GIANTS NEAFL coach Adam Schneider on the performance of the GIANTS players: 

Ryan Griffen

“He played half a game of footy and moved very, very well. He had to hit a target of running a certain distance and smashed it out so we had to slow him down. There were some really positives signs and great to see him back out there having an impact as well.”

Tim Mohr

“He was really solid again, he’s been really building and hasn’t been beaten yet this season I feel.”

Jake Stein

“Jake’s been really good as well, really improving his game, some of his work rate has been fantastic.”

Sam Taylor

“Sammy had the job of matching up on Tom McCartin and he did a really good job. He’s showing some great football smarts and competitiveness.”

Isaac Cumming

“It was his second game back now and again he was doing a lot of things right and he’s getting back up to speed after a slight delay late in the pre-season.”

Dawson Simpson

“Dawson’s tap work was fantastic. He absolutely gave Hopper, Shipley and Bonar first use of the footy.”

Jacob Hopper

“He was an absolute machine inside. It was a very, very good performance, he’ll definitely be in consideration for seniors I’d imagine.”

Harry Perryman

“His first game back, he played in defence for the first three quarters and then we threw him in the middle for the last term. He showed some brilliance in there and some smart, and really good use of the footy. Again I think his name will get throw up for senior selection very shortly as well.”

Nick Shipley

“He was probably one of the best on ground for the day, his work rate was sensational. He had some really sharp skills and got us going there in the last quarter.”

Aiden Bonar

“Again, inside he was sensational. He just crashes and bashes, and barely loses a contest one on one. He played forward for ten minutes and looked very, very dangerous. We’ll do that again in weeks to come as he was very dangerous one on one.”

Matt Flynn

“Flynny crashed about 80 packs on the weekend but couldn’t quite clunk the mark but his effort was there.”