Greater Western Sydney GIANTS Head Coach Kevin Sheedy has praised his young team despite a 74-point loss to Hawthorn in the second round of the NAB Cup at Aurora Stadium in Launceston.
Hawthorn, one of this year’s premiership favourites, showed their class but the GIANTS fought out the game strongly. Devon Smith led the way for the GIANTS, picking up 27 possessions while number two draft pick Stephen Coniglio again impressed in the midfield with 25 touches.
“The more games these guys can get under their belt, the better they will be,” Sheedy said after the match. “Hawthorn is a damn good side and are probably looking to play in a grand final and I think our players learned a lot. We probably need another three of those sort of games just to get experience.”
NRL convert Israel Folau was another positive for the GIANTS, finishing the game strongly with four contested marks and a goal. He also spent time in the back line and the ruck as he continues his transition to the game. “A terrific improvement. He’s starting to feel he can get the ball,” Sheedy said.
The GIANTS were without a number of senior players, including two of their co-captains Luke Power and Callan Ward, as well as Chad Cornes, Dean Brogan and Setanta o’hAilpin. Young guns Dylan Shiel and Jonathon Patton are also yet to debut for the club because of injury.
Young forward Jeremy Cameron also showed he is a player of the future, taking eight marks - including four contested marks- across half forward, while Will Hoskin-Elliot also impressed in his first game for the club.
Tom Scully and Rhys Palmer were also busy and Tasmanian born players Sam Darley and Andrew Phillips picked up 16 and 15 possessions respectively.
Hawthorn coach Alistair Clarkson also praised the young GIANTS team, particularly their work in the clearances. “There were some things out of the game `Choco’ (Senior Assistant Coach Mark Williams) and Sheeds will be really pleased with,” he said.
The GIANTS will take on Gold Coast in round three of the NAB Cup at Lavington next Saturday before playing a match in Canberra on March 17 to finish off their pre-season campaign before they take on Sydney in round one at ANZ Stadium on March 24.
Hawthorn 1.2.5 2.7.10 2.10.13 2.12.18 (108)
GWS Giants 0.1.1 0.2.5 0.2.8 0.4.10 (34)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Schoenmakers (supergoal), Osborne (supergoal), Hale 3, Breust 2, Birchall, Hodge, Hill, Smith, Cheney, Bruce, Gunston
GWS Giants: Wilson 2, Folau, Tomlinson
BEST
Hawthorn: Schoenmakers, Hale, Birchall, Hodge, Breust, Burgoyne
GWS Giants: Coniglio, Palmer, Smith, Hoskin-Elliott, Wilson, Darley
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
GWS Giants: Nathan Wilson (ankle)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Jennings, McBurney, Burgess, Foot
Official crowd: 5100 at Aurora Stadium
