The GIANTS’ Reserves kicked off their premiership defence in style with a 28-point win over the Gold Coast Suns Reserves at Spotless Stadium on Saturday.
The 2016 Premiers didn’t have it all their own way in the 19.11 (125) to 15.7 (97) victory, with the Suns jumping out to an early 23-point lead thanks to a six-goal opening quarter.
From the time the siren sounded to start the second quarter, the GIANTS looked a completely different side. Their tackle pressure and work around the stoppages proved too much to handle for the visitors, with the GIANTS kicking seven goals to one to lead by 15 at the main break.
NEAFL coach Brad Miller highlighted his side’s strength to re-group and turn the match around after the first quarter.
“There’s a good resolve amongst the group and when they are challenged they find a bit,” Miller said.
“They have just got that intangible element that’s in a footy team and they play with spirit when they are challenged so they can find a way to respond which they did.”
Will Setterfield (33 disposals and three goals) was one of the driving forces behind his side’s comeback; and showed why the GIANTS Academy product was selected at number five in last year’s NEAFL AFL Draft, with a damaging display.
“Will was really dangerous, he was able to work off a body at stoppage but then he was able to go forward and kick goals as well,” Miller said.
“He makes really good decisions with the ball, was composed around the contest and did all the things we expect a good player to do.”
With the GIANTS midfielders getting great service from ruckman Dawson Simpson throughout, the Suns defence was always under pressure. Second-year GIANT Matthew Flynn and draftee Zach Sproule took full advantage of their opportunities in front of goal, combining to kick eight goals between them.
“I thought Matty Flynn played his best game for the club today,” Miller said.
“He was dangerous every time the ball was kicked up in the air, was marking strongly, following up at ground level and he took a really big step forward.
“Sprouley (Sproule) has had two really good games in a row. He is really hard to play on and has become a really dangerous option for us.”
Next week the GIANTS Reserves will take on Sydney University at Blacktown International Sportspark at 4:30pm on Saturday.
GIANTS 19.11 (125) def. Gold Coast Suns Reserves 15.7 (97)
GOALS: Zach Sproule 5, Matt Flynn, Nathan Coxall, Will Setterfield 3, Lachie Tiziani 2, Baily McParland, Joseph Kenna, Matt Kennedy
BEST: Will Setterfield, Daniel Lloyd, Matt Kennedy, Matt Flynn, Zach Sproule
