Returning GIANTS Harry Perryman and Zac Langdon were standouts as the NEAFL GIANTS returned to the winners’ list on Friday night.

Perryman was the GIANTS’ top possession-getter with 28 disposals and Langdon booted 3.2, as the GIANTS defeated the Canberra Demons 11.12 (78) to 9.10 (64) at Phillip Oval.

It was Perryman’s first game back after suffering a punctured lung in round one of the AFL season, while it was Langdon’s second game back at any level for the 2019 season after overcoming a lisfranc injury suffered during the pre-season.

GIANTS NEAFL coach Adam Schneider said his charges delivered on their key areas of focus heading into the clash after last week’s loss to the Swans.

“We were very pleased with the boys to have the win, they’re working hard,” he said.

“I’m just happy for the boys to get a win after what we spoke about during the week make sure we change the way we play, and we came out and did that.

“Our ball use was a lot better than last week, and just playing a full four quarters of footy – they were the two focuses we had coming into the week.

“They’re a good team, as well, Canberra, and they came flying back at us a few times, but we managed to absorb it and finish back on top.”

Canberra Demons 2.2, 5.5, 8.7, 9.10 (64)
GIANTS 3.3, 5.6, 9.10, 11.12 (78)

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

Harry Perryman – 28 disposals, 7 marks, 9 tackles
“Perryman was sensational for us down back. After such a big knock and getting injured, it was good to see him back out there and playing footy. It was a real masterclass playing on the back flank. He was really smart, had good ball use. We chucked him inside (the midfield) in the last quarter to give us some drive.” 

Xavier O’Halloran – 23 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles
“X-Man was great inside. He’s really tough, likes to crash and bash. He’ll just keep working on his inside craft in the midfield, once he gets a hold of that and really nails it, he’ll be a good player. Great game by him and just fought it out until the end.”

Aiden Bonar – 18 disposals, 2 marks, 1 goal
“Aiden’s work rate was probably the best I’ve seen it this year. He was fantastic working up and back; he had some good opponents on the inside, but managed to really keep up with them. His last quarter was super.”

Zach Sproule – 18 disposals, 10 marks, 2 tackles, 2 goals
“Sprouley’s first half was really, really good. He just works all day, laid some big tackles, took some good marks. I was very pleased with Zach.”

Bobby Hill – 18 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 2 goals
“We know he’s super electric with the footy. When he gets it, something happens. It was great to see him hit the scoreboard. No doubt there’s times down the track where he’s light a game up and really take it by control, but it was a great building lesson for him this week, his game went to another level compared to last week. It’s great to see him run around and cause havoc for the opposition.”

Jye Caldwell – 16 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 1 goal
“Jye was a bit restricted with game time, we managed to stretch him out over four quarters. It was just his first hitout. He’s going to be a good player for the GIANTS. Inside, he’s extremely clean and tough. Just pleased for him to get through and he’ll build from here.”

Lachie Keeffe – 16 disposals, 5 marks, 1 tackle
“Mr Reliable down back. He was super for us on the weekend. We were a bit undermanned this week, but he stood up magnificently and really smashed his opponent. He also gave us a bit of drive out of the back. It was a great game by Keeffey.”

Jake Stein – 15 disposals, 6 marks, 3 tackles
“Steiny was good. Very, very solid one-on-one. Had some big spoils for us and stood in the hold numerous times when he had traffic coming behind him. It was a really good game by Jake.”

Zac Langdon – 13 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 3 goals
“Zac was one of our most dangerous forwards. He just looks extremely lively. His speed is by far his greatest weapon, and his tackling pressure as well is really good. It was his second game back now, and it was really pleasing to see. He probably kicked goal of the year – left-foot boundary snap from 50 which he’ll tell me all about. Very pleased for Zac to get through and he played a good game of footy.”

Kieren Briggs – 13 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles
“It was a quieter game from Briggsy this week. He started really well, took a good couple of grabs. We had to put him down back in the last quarter to fill a few holes. He went down there and laid a massive tackle for us which was a big moment in the game. I was pleased to see him do something like that.”

Nick Shipley – 12 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles
“Shipley had a tough night with an opponent following him everywhere. For the first three quarters, he had to play a really selfless role for the team, do some two-to-ones on the inside and help out his teammates, which he fought through. Then we mixed things up and put him on the wing, and some of his off-ball running for us to help our defenders, to get back there and be first there to give them an extra number was elite standard. He played the team things really well for us on the weekend.”

Callum Brown – 11 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 1 goal
“Cal has kicked another goal, sensational – he’s got to work on his celebrations, though, it was a bit of a random one! Really pleased to see him out there and having a bit of fun, and he’s got some wheels. He is super, super quick. He’s starting to get the hang of it now, and when he runs forward, he’s very dangerous. I’m liking what I’m seeing.”

Jack Buckley – 11 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles
“A little bit down for Jack after the last couple of weeks on the wing, it wasn’t really a winger’s game. His workrate is a big standout for us on that wing when he’s helping our backs to get back there. He was just a little bit sore during the game, so I’m pleased to see him push through the game and finish it out. It was a good contribution to help us out.”

Connor Idun – 11 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles
“Connor’s fantastic for us. He’s always in there for a fight, you give him a challenge and he’ll respond. He played on some good forwards for them and kept them really quiet. His speed to close and get a spoil in is really great to see. He does that really well and, also, one-on-one he rarely ever gets beaten. He’s been in some good form.”

Dawson Simpson – 11 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles
“It was another good game by Daws; his leadership on-field is sensational for the younger guys. I think we ended up plus-50 in the hitouts, so he gave our mids first use. Some of his chasing and tackling pressure in the last quarter was fantastic for a big guy.”

Matt Flynn – 9 disposals, 5 marks
“Flynny was really good, I was very pleased with him, it was his best game for the year. He gave our mids first use inside, but also his follow-up was very pleasing – it’s an area he’s been working on for a while now, and it was probably the best we’ve seen it. Hopefully he can build again and go again next couple of weeks.”