The UWS GIANTS have put in a strong performance to defeat the Sydney Hills Eagles by 72 points in a practice match at Tom Wills Oval.
In warm and windy conditions, the UWS GIANTS started the game kicking with the breeze and were dominant around stoppages, finishing the quarter with 10 shots on goal.
Ruckmen Tom Downie and Rory Lobb got their hands on the ball at stoppages early with Jacob Townsend, Mark Whiley and Jake Barrett winning the hard balls and providing the forwards with some good entries.
Will Hoskin-Elliott kicked two early goals and continued the good form he showed after also playing the final quarter of the GIANTS’ match against the Adelaide Crows on Friday.
The second quarter saw the GIANTS kick into the breeze but they still managed three goals with NEAFL Coach Brett Hand pleased with his side’s persistence.
“Our tackling and intensity around the ball was a highlight with plenty of numbers around the ball,” Hand said.
Liam Sumner continued his good form from the first quarter working hard up the ground and in and around the contests in the forward line to help the GIANTS take a seven-goal lead at half-time.
Hand made some changes to the structures after half-time with the moves paying off and the GIANTS kicking five goals for the quarter.
“It was pleasing to see the guys adjust to the change and carry it out well,” Hand said.
“Our defence stood up strongly with (Lachie) Plowman and (Stephen) Gilham taking some good marks and (Matt) Buntine and (Zac) Williams providing some great running options from the backline.
“Our ball use was good for the most part, however we fumbled at times but I liked the way we tried to win the ball back and quite often we did,” Hand said.
“Overall we were pleased with the intensity and aggression that we attacked the game with. Our mental approach was very good and showed the development of the group to adapt to change and cope with it well.”
Whiley, Townsend, Barrett, and Jono O’Rourke were all prominent with Downie and Lobb dominant in the ruck.
The UWS GIANTS will play the Sydney Swans reserves in another practice match as a curtain-raiser to the Battle of the Bridge at Spotless Stadium next Saturday, March 15.
The GIANTS’ NEAFL campaign opens with a clash with the NT Thunder in Darwin on March 29.
UWS GIANTS 6.4 9.7 14.9 17.11 (113)
Sydney Hills Eagles 0.1 2.5 3.7 5.11 (41)
Goals: Downie 3, Wilson 3, Hoskin-Elliot 2, Townsend 2, Spinks 2, Whiley 1, O’Rourke 1, Austin 1, Williams 1, Lobb 1.
Best: Whiley, Sumner, Plowman, Barrett, Williams, Townsend
