The UWS GIANTS will compete in their first NEAFL preliminary final after securing the minor premiership with a 15-point win over Brisbane Lions.
 
The GIANTS now automatically progress through to the second round of finals and will clash with the winner of Queensland-based sides Aspley and Redland in a fortnight for a chance to play in the Grand Final.
 
UWS GIANTS coach Brett Hand said his side’s top-place finish was good reward for a consistent season of football.
 
"It’s exciting times for the boys and it will be a new challenge for us in the preliminary final facing one of the Queensland teams on the other side of the draw," Hand said.
 
"A week’s rest will do the boys a world of good but we still have to take our game to another level if we want to earn a spot in the Grand Final."
 
Twenty-one GIANTS listed players are eligible to be selected for finals including; Jed Lamb, Jono O’Rourke, Stephen Gilham, Liam Sumner, Sam Schulz, Matt Buntine, Zac Williams, Kristian Jaksch, James Stewart, Andrew Phillips, Nathan Wilson, Jon Giles, Jacob Townsend, Mark Whiley, Cam McCarthy, Tim Golds, Dylan Addison, Tom Boyd, Rory Lobb, Jake Barrett and Tom Downie.
 
According to NEAFL rules, UWS GIANTS will be allowed to field up to 15 listed players, with the remaining spots to be filled by top-up selections.
 
To qualify for finals players must chalk up at least three NEAFL games, or nine NEAFL games if they have made five or more appearances in the AFL.
 
Two UWS GIANTS players, Mark Whiley and Matt Buntine, were last night named in the NEAFL NSW ACT Team of the Year.
 
“Mark Whiley has been really consistent throughout the season and has worked hard on his game to improve his running capacity and disposal efficiency,” Hand said.
 
“It’s a similar story with Matt Buntine who proved he can sustain a high level of performance in both the reserves and AFL side.”
 
The UWS GIANTS have a week off before playing the winner of Aspley and Redland. The date and location of that match is still to be confirmed.
 
UWS GIANTS 17.11 (113) def Brisbane Lions 14.14 (98)

Best Players: S. Reid , D. Addison , J. Giles , L. Sumner , Z. Williams , C. Hampton
Goal Kickers: S. Reid 4, D. Addison 3, J. Giles 2, A. Phillips 2, C. Hampton 2, R. Lobb , J. Lamb , D. Spinks , L. Sumner