The UWS GIANTS were defeated by Belconnon by 50 points in their final NEAFL game of the season at Manuka Oval in Canberra on Saturday.
The GIANTS went into the game severely undermanned with 15 top-up players required due to the injury, with the game being yet another opportunity for a host of Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy players to step up to the NEAFL level and showcase their talents.
The game was played in bitterly cold conditions with the temperature hitting a low of four degrees at the first bounce. However both sides didn’t let conditions effect proceedings, both attacking the football with gusto in the opening term.
The GIANTS matched the home side early but Belconnen showed a little more composure kicking five goals straight in the opening term to the GIANTS 2.2, to take a 16- point lead into the opening break.
The second quarter was much the same with the GIANTS doing there best to ensure they remained in touching distance to Belconnen and both sides fought tooth and nail throughout with Belconnen extending their lead ever so slightly to seventeen at the main break.
The third quarter was again tight as the GIANTS matched Belconnen for goals before a late surge from Belconnen resulted in two goals late in the quarter to extend the lead at the final break to four goals. In the last, the young GIANTS began to run out of legs as the more experienced Belconnen side kicked away to win by 50 points.
Josh Bruce was best on ground for the GIANTS, as the Canberra local put in a fine display on his home ground to ensure he is in selectors minds for the final two rounds of the AFL season. Bruce was solid at the back, but also provided great run and carry off halfback in transition.
Gerald Ugle was another standout for the GIANTS kicking four of the GIANTS eight goals and ensured his name is one that will come up in the GIANTS match committee next week. Ugle found the football well and provided some much needed spark, as his cool finishing kept the GIANTS in the hunt throughout.
Jack Hombsch was also solid and did an admirable job on Belconnen’s key forwards despite the GIANTS boasting an inexperienced and undersized back six.
Nathan Wilson continued his impressive recent run of form, which has seen him in the GIANTS best for the past five weeks, with Wilson capping off another strong showing with a goal. Mark Whiley also found himself amongst the GIANTS best and was busy around the ground, whilst Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy member, Joseph Redfern led a host of Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy players to also find himself amongst the GIANTS best.
The loss ends the GIANTS NEAFL campaign for 2012, but a host of players will be in line for senior action for the remaining rounds of the season, including Josh Growden and Rhys Cooyou. Nathan Wilson, Gerald Ugle, Jack Hombsch and Josh Bruce are mounting campaigns for a return to senior action after some eye-catching performances in recent weeks.
Belconnen 16.8 104- UWS GIANTS 8.6 54
Goal Kickers: Ugle 4. Palmer, Redfern, Cooyou, Wilson
Best: Bruce, Ugle, Hombsch, Wilson, Whiley, Redfern
