The returns of Tendai Mzungu and Jeremy Finlayson weren’t enough to help the GIANTS Reserves to victory over Redland in their NEAFL clash at Spotless Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Mzungu played his first match since suffering a hamstring injury in round one against Adelaide and the former Fremantle recruit led the disposal count with 32 touches, and also laid eight tackles.
Finlayson had missed two matches with a groin injury and provided the GIANTS with an attacking option up forward with his 23 disposals and two goals.
Dawson Simpson was again among the GIANTS’ best with a dominant ruck performance as well as some excellent follow up work at ground level.
NEAFL coach Brad Miller was disappointed with the 14.14 (98) to 7.10 (52) defeat but was pleased that a number of key GIANTS made successful returns from injury.
“We were really happy Tendai was able to get through the game time that we allocated to him,” Miller said.
“He knows that he needs to do some work to improve but we were pleased he was able to get through unscathed.
“Jeremy really fought it through to the end, he had a lot of touches in the last quarter and it was good to see he was able to battle it out for the four quarters.
“Dawson is the ultimate competitor and no matter what the score is he always puts his hand up and competes for us.”
The GIANTS were held goalless in the first quarter as the visitors kicked four majors to open up an early 28-point lead.
Simpson kicked the GIANTS’ first goal mid-way through the second quarter, before Zach Sproule added another to trim the margin to 22 points at halftime.
Finlayson was able to snap his first for the game at the start of the quarter before the visitors kicked the next four to end any hopes of a GIANTS comeback.
On a day with few highlights for the GIANTS, ruckman Matt Flynn submitted his entry for NEAFL Mark of the Year with his grab late in the fourth quarter.
The GIANTS Reserves take on the Swans Reserves at Henson Park next Saturday at 12pm.
GIANTS Reserves 7.10 (52) def. by Redland 14.14 (98)
Goal Kickers: J. Finlayson 2, L. Cuthbert, D. Foley, D. Simpson, L. Tiziani, Z. Sproule
Best Players: T. Mzungu, J. Finlayson, T. Mohr, D. Simpson, M. Flynn, Z. Sproule
