The GIANTS 2016 draft crop, along with gun forward Jonathon Patton, have given fans plenty to be excited about in a scrappy 33-point win over West Coast in the GIANTS' opening game of the JLT Community Series.
Patton finished the game with three goals, while fellow tall target Rory Lobb also gave the West Coast defenders plenty of headaches.
Stand-in captain Josh Kelly led the GIANTS from the front with 28 classy disposals.
The GIANTS' first two selections at last year's NAB AFL Draft, Tim Taranto and Will Setterfield, were impressive especially in the first half, with Taranto very busy up forward with stints through the midfield, and Setterfield a tireless runner on the wing.
The pair combined for 14 possessions in the first term when the GIANTS dominated the game, winning the inside 50 count 15-2 and kicking four goals to one for the quarter, and finished with 37 for the day.
The Eagles had few winners but midfielders Mark Hutchings, Sharrod Wellingham and Dom Sheed found plenty of the ball, and rookie Francis Watson was creative in defence.
Field umpire Eleni Glouftsis continued her development as part of the three-umpire team in Narrandera, after making her debut during the pre-season competition last year.
The South Australian umpired in the VFL in 2016 as one of 12 rookies on the AFL panel, and was also used on the bench at AFL matches as a potential injury replacement.
WHAT WE LEARNED
GIANTS: The GIANTS' depth is as scary as their reputation. Both teams had just six players from their finals losses to the Western Bulldogs in their line-up, but it was no surprise that GWS had far more talent across the ground in their fringe players and draftees, ensuring Leon Cameron will have some positive selection headaches again this season.
West Coast: Nathan Vardy could be a handy acquisition in the ruck if he can stay on the park. The former Geelong big man had a good tustle with Dawson Simpson and Tom Downie, and finished with an equal game-high 27 hit outs with Simpson. The athletic Eagle covered plenty of territory and with Nic Naitanui out long term, and Scott Lycett also recovering from knee surgery, Vardy might prove very useful.
NEW FACES
GIANTS: Will Setterfield started brilliantly with seven disposals in the first quarter on a wing, with Tim Taranto finding plenty of footy playing as a permanent forward. Lachlan Tiziani was lively early inside 50 and kicked the opening goal of the game, with Harry Perryman and Isaac Cumming showing some good signs across half back, and Jeremy Finlayson solid playing as a tall wingman. Rookie Zach Sproule didn't look out of place up forward, and hometown boy Matt Flynn provided a strong target up forward, but struggled to get his hands on the footy.
West Coast: It wasn't a pretty day for the Eagles' youngsters, with rookie Francis Watson, Luke Partington and Kurt Mutimer the best of the bunch. Rookies Tom Gorter, Jordan Snadden and Tarir Bayok showed some potential, while Josh Rotham and Paddy Brophy sat out the first half and had minimal impact in the second.
NEXT UP
The GIANTS have a week off before they take on the Swans in a Sydney Derby at Blacktown on March 3rd, while the Eagles have to back up next Saturday in a Western Derby clash with Fremantle in Geraldton.
GIANTS 0.4.3 0.6.4 0.6.6 0.10.10 (70)
WEST COAST 0.1.0 0.4.3 0.4.5 0.5.7 (37)
SUPERGOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Nil
West Coast: Nil
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Patton 3, Lloyd 2, Tiziani, Mzungu, Downie, Reid, Mohr
West Coast: Mutimer, Bayok, Yeo, Karpany, Lamb
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Kelly, Wilson, Mzungu, Taranto, Patton, Setterfield
West Coast: Sheed, Hutchings, Watson, Wellingham, Jetta
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Zac Williams (groin)
West Coast: Will Schofield (corked leg)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Meredith, Foot, Findlay, Gloufstis
Official crowd: 3984 at Narrandera Sports Ground
