The GIANTS have faced off with the Swans for the third time in a month in another practice match for the club’s non-AFL playing players.
It was another high-intensity hit-out at Tom Wills Oval as the two teams played 15-a-side across four 15-minute quarters.
‘It was another good hit-out, the Swans were really strong and it ended up being a really close game,” said GIANTS Development Coach Luke Kelly.
“It’s great for us to continue to get these opportunities to have these hit-outs, it keeps our boys who are pressing their case to continue to push forward and put themselves up there.”
Player Summaries by Luke Kelly
Jye Caldwell
“He was really strong inside and continues to produce an AFL-level product at this level. He was clean inside and we know how hard he is and he was able to show his use and his ability to hit the scoreboard with four goals today.”
Sam Jacobs
“Another strong performance from ‘Sauce’. We know Mumford has the ruck spot at the moment but we know Sam is there and ready to go when called upon. He continues to show what he can around the ground and equally inside where he gives our inside mids first opportunity.”
Zac Langdon
“He played on-ball for the majority of the day and relished the new role inside. He tackled unbelievably well but then was able to use his fast feet and give us some great run on the outside. Another one who added that execution and ball-use that we know he’s capable of.”
Matt Buntine
“‘Bunts’ is just brimming along and he’s AFL-ready for when the call comes. You just get consistency week-in and week-out from him and he’s ready to go when called upon.”
Jake Riccardi
“Riccardi, Sproule and Buckley played forward, wing and half-back with the numbers and each position we threw Jake in he applied himself really well. We know he’s strong in the air so when he went back he was able to have a presence there. We know as a forward he’s continuing to develop and come along as one of our key forwards and he was able to show his running up the ground as a winger. It was a good opportunity today for him.”
Zach Sproule
“Sproule was up forward for a bit and then I thought he was really good down back. He really attacked the ball, tackled well and defended as a backman and really showed his high work rate and his speed when he gets on the wing and high as a forward. Another step in the right direction for him.”
Matt Flynn
“Great to have the big man back. He got out there and he took the big clunks we know he can take. He covered the ground really well which is a credit to him and the work he’s done through his rehab as well as Simon Harries and our whole high performance staff to get him back to the level where he can step right in and look like he hasn’t missed a beat. He had a bit of a jump in the ruck and was great with his follow up so it was a great first-up run from ‘Flynny’.”
Kieren Briggs
“He was really strong again. Having Flynn and Jacobs in the team, ruck spots are tight time-wise, but when he goes inside, his ability to jump gives us first use but he’s added that follow up and then he was able to be really strong for us as a forward and take some key marks. He’s covering the ground as well as we’ve seen.”
Xavier O’Halloran
“He just keeps taking positive steps inside. His case for AFL just keeps getting stronger and stronger. He’s strong inside, he’s continuing to work on his first touch and first give but his ability to drive and take us forward and he’s added his ball use. He’s going to be a great inclusion when it comes.”
Nick Shipley
“He’s just becoming a really strong and consistent winger for us which gives our boys a lot of confidence when he’s able to get back and help our defenders. His leadership and communication is really coming along in that sense and I thought his ball use is as good as we’ve seen which he’ll continue to add to. Another one that week-in and week-out is continuing to take positive steps and pushing his case.”
Bobby Hill
“A really strong Bobby Hill performance. He’s building his brand with his pressure and his chase and he took another great step to work his way back into the AFL from that angle. We know what he does with the ball and his selflessness is a great attribute. He was able to get a bit of inside time and show those fast feet and his clean skills and really shone.”
Connor Idun
“It was definitely his best game for the year. He’s another one that week-in and week-out is continuing to take positive steps. He was really strong defensively today on an array of opponents - tall and small - which is a great attribute to have as a key defender. H’s on the right path in his development to get back to AFL level.”
Jake Stein
“He was good two weeks ago, better last week and then even better today. Like most of these boys, they continue to put consistent performances in and he’s one of them who got back to his strong marking game today and that ruthless defence we know he’s capable of. He’s another one pushing his case.”
Jack Buckley
“He couldn’t be going much better. He played a fair bit of wing today, not that he’s played or trained much there. He went there and his running is so strong and he’s clean. He took to it like a duck to water and he couldn’t be going much better in terms of his development and it’s a credit to him.”
Callum Brown
“Good to have him back. He’s been chomping at the bit to get back out there since he arrived back from Ireland. From the get-go, it was a credit to our high performance staff to get him ready for today and he just didn’t look like he missed a beat. He was strong, he was quick, he was clean and he attacked the ball. His run and carry will be critical for us going forward and he’s another one who had a great first-up run.