The UWS GIANTS have inflicted top team Queanbeyan’s first loss of the season in their fourth round NEAFL clash at Blacktown International Sportspark.
Leading by 29 points at three quarter time, the GIANTS looked set to record a comfortable win in warm conditions. But Queanbeyan fought back hard in the final quarter, kicking five goals to one to go down by just four points.
Setanta O’hAilpin led the way the UWS GIANTS kicking three goals and showed he is not far away from senior selection after an interrupted pre-season through injury.
The GIANTS were also well served by young draftees Taylor Adams, Dom Tyson, Liam Sumner, Matt Buntine and Nick Haynes who all featured prominently, as well as Sam Reid and rookie listed players Andrew Phillips and Sam Frost.
The match was also notable for the return of number one draft pick Jonathon Patton, who underwent knee surgery in January for patellar tendinopathy.
Patton was rotated off the bench during the first half in his first competitive match in seven months. While the big forward was obviously short of match practice, he showed glimpses of his prodigious talent and helped set up a goal for Gerard Ugle in the first quarter.
Coach Lachlan Buszard said the match was a great test for the young side against an in-form team in Queanbeyan.
“We knew it was going to be a physical contest and we had to get off to a fast start which we did thanks to Andrew Phillips’ dominance in the ruck which enabled the midfield to get first use and provide plenty of forward entries to O'hAilpin and Patton,” he said.
“Adams, Tyson and Reid were busy in the midfield, whilst Josh Bruce and Mark Whiley played solid defensive games. It was also pleasing to have solid contributions from local Western Sydney Academy members Dean Wright who kicked 2 goals and Campbelltown local Tarren Etto who kicked one.
“Credit must be given to the Queanbeyan side who fought back from a 5 goal three quarter time deficit to nearly steal the game. We will learn a lot from watching the video as their willingness to work for each other deep into the last quarter and their ability to stay at the contest and win the contested ball was sensational.”
UWS Giants 14.14.98 Queanbeyan 13.16.94
Goal Kickers S. O'hAilpin 3, D. Wright 2, G. UGLE 2, S. Reid 2, T. Etto , S. Schulz , I. Taylor , D. Tyson , N. Haynes
Bests T. Adams, A. Phillips, D. Tyson, J. Bruce, S. Reid, S. Frost, L Sumner
