An undermanned UWS GIANTS were defeated by the Tuggeranong Hawks, going down by 29 points in Canberra on Saturday.

The GIANTS went into the game missing several senior players, and it gave another opportunity for the young talent from the Slater & Gordon Academy to gain more experience at the NEAFL level, with the UWS GIANTS calling up eleven players from outside the senior list for this fixture.

Among the best players for the Giants were Adam Tomlinson, who kicked two goals, Will Hoskin-Elliot and Stephen Clifton. The performances are sure to help their claims to senior berths in the coming weeks.

Curtly Hampton was lively up forward as well and Tim Golds also impressed. Matthew Eastman from the Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy also found himself amongst the best, with an impressive display, whilst fellow Academy player, Karl Merson was also solid.

The loss takes the UWS GIANTS to sixth place in the NEAFL Eastern Conference. The GIANTS travel to ANZ Stadium next weekend to meet the Sydney Swans reserves.

Tuggeranong

Goal Kickers: Z. Litchfield 3, J. Akermanis 3, A. LAWDER 2, B. Cleaver 2, A. POCOCK 2, D. SMITH 2, N. Wright , T. RICHARDS, D. JOHNSON, N. SMITH

Best Players: Z. Litchfield, M. Dragicevic, C. ROBINSON, J. Akermanis, A. LAWDER

UWS Giants

Goal Kickers: J. Whatman 2, A. Tomlinson 2, C. Hampton 2, J. Mount, K. Merson, J. Steele, G. UGLE, W. Hoskin-Elliott, T. Golds, T. Downie

Best Players: S. Clifton, W. Hoskin-Elliott, M. Eastman, A. Tomlinson, C. Hampton, T. Golds