UWS Giants
13.12-90
 

def.

Gold Coast Suns
10.15-75

The UWS GIANTS ran out winners over the Gold Coast Suns in a highly entertaining contest at Manuka Oval on Saturday.

The match served up a delicious entrée to the main game later in the afternoon and fans were treated to a smorgasbord of bright young emerging talent on display from both sides.

Ross Tungatalum set tongues wagging with his eye-catching performance as he showcased his silky skills in a three-goal haul. Nathan Wilson continued his solid form, which should have him edging towards a return to senior action, and youngsters Matt Buntine and Jonathon Patton showed encouraging sides, whilst Stephen Clifton made his return from injury in the win.

UWS GIANTS Coach, Brett Hand was impressed with the work of Tungatalum, who was included in the GIANTS side as a “Top-Up” player due to the unavailability of several of the clubs Academy players.

“Ross is a skillful footballer and he kicked three goals which was good to see. He got on the end of a lot of hard work from the boys and if he gets the ball in his hands he is going to finish off with some goals. It’s good to see a top-up player come in and do that for us.”

“Tungatalum is a zone player (Northern Territory) and is playing with the Sydney Hills Eagles. All our Slater & Gordon Academy players are involved in championships this weekend, with 11-12 Canberra locals involved there, so it gave us the chance to play some slightly older players,” said Hand.

Hand also praised the efforts of other the other “top-up” players running out for the GIANTS on Saturday.

“I thought Chris Robinson from Tuggeranong Hawks was fantastic down back for us today, as well as Corey Baxter, so it was good to give those guys a chance as well.”

Hand was pleased with the work of Jonathon Patton, as he continues his comeback from injury, as he impressed early before leaving the field with cramp late in the game.

“Patton is fine, he just suffered some cramp. He was up and about today, which was good, and it was pleasing to see him get through a game. He took some great contested marks, which will give him great confidence in his knee, and the more he does that the better he will be. So, another game under his belt and he will go again next week. There is no timeline there (for a Senior debut) we will just see how he pulls up after today and see how he goes into next week,” Hand said.

Stephen Clifton made his return in the game and Hand said his inclusion was great for the side. “He has had an interrupted pre-season and missed a few games with injury so he has been itching to get back and he has been doing a ton of work on the sidelines, so to have him back was great.”

Hand also praised the work of Matt Buntine, and feels he is getting closer to a Senior AFL debut.

“Buntine has had very little pre-season, so it is good for him to get some conditioning under his belt as has only played about four games this year, but he is not too far away from the senior side. He finds the ball well, he plays the defensive side well and puts his body on the line and his head in the hole so I was impressed with what he did today,” said Hand.

Other standouts were Sam Reid, who Hand praised for his shutting down of Suns’ young gun, Jaeger O’Meara as well as Will Hoskin-Elliot and Nathan Wilson.

The overall team performance please Hand, who was pleased that the side is delivering on everything that is asked of them in training.

“The focus for us is to do what the senior guys are doing and I was really pleased today. The things we have been practicing have been put into play today so that’s the key, and if they do it here they will do it in the AFL,” Hand said.

UWS Giants

Goal Kickers: N. WILSON 4, R. Tungatalum 3, S. Clifton , J. Patton , C. Baxter , W. Hoskin-Elliott , S. Reid , N. Haynes

Best Players: M. Buntine, S. Reid, S. Darley, N. WILSON, S. Frost, T. Downie