After a strong opening half, the GIANTS - with nine AFL listed players - have been overrun by Footscray in round two of the VFL.
There was just two points in it at half time but the GIANTS fell away badly in the second half, going down 135-63 at Blacktown International Sportspark.
“It was a game of two halves,” said GIANTS VFL coach Luke Kelly.
"Our contest and our pressure around the footy was really strong in the first half and allowed us to move the ball.
“They got on top around the footy in the third quarter and wrestled back the momentum.
“We lost the hunt around the footy which opened up their game.”
9 Ryan Angwin
10 disposals, five tackles
“The stats probably don’t reflect his impact on the game. We were able to move him inside this week and he laid five tackles. He was strong defensively for us and his performance was pleasing.”
10 Jacob Wehr
17 disposals, three tackles
“Wehry continues to get better week in, week out with ball in hand. He showed good composure and continues to be strong defensively.”
21 Matt Buntine
Nine disposals, four marks
“Bunts had to play taller this week and led the charge down back. He was a rock for us when they got a roll on. A good game from Matt.”
23 Jesse Hogan
11 marks, four goals
“Everyone will see the four goals but his workrate and ability to give us a contest was first-class. He was selfless - he gave away three opportunities - and it was a really rounded performance.”
24 Xavier Barry-Murphy
Seven disposals, five tackles
“Xavier plays an important wing role for us and he stuck to the task all night. It was a really pleasing performance.”
28 Zach Sproule
17 disposals, one goal
“Sprouley was able to have an impact with ball in hand and had seven score involvements. He laid a big tackle early which set the scene for us and never dropped the workrate.”
29 Zach Youlten
Seven disposals, one mark
“It was his first game at VFL level. Zach had some really good moments when he had the ball in hand and it was a great game to build off for a young player.”
30 Tim Garvey
Nine disposals, two tackles
“Another first-gamer at VFL level. He fought the fight for us all night. He was able to add a bit of maturity inside which was important. A solid performance.”
31 Josh Boag
Six disposals, five hit-outs
“Josh competed well on a tough night at times for forwards. He will keep getting better the more he plays at this level.”
32 Kieren Briggs
31 hit-outs, 15 disposals
“Briggsy provided a really strong contest in the air for us all night. He led the charge early with his follow up.”
33 James Peatling
23 disposals, six marks
“James shifted down back this week and got back to the player we know he can be. He had 13 kicks at 92 percent efficiency and had some really important moments to keep us in it for long periods.”
34 Nick Shipley
19 disposals, eight tackles
“Nick did a mountain of work inside for us and went to the well for us over and over again. He had our most tackles with eight and led the charge inside for us.”
35 Will Shaw
Two goals, four tackles
“Will’s another one where the stats don’t reflect his influence. He kicked two and played an important role around the footy. He’s progressing well.”
36 Billy Clark
22 disposals, 10 marks
“Billy had a really good night. In the air he was able to have 10 marks and eight possession gains. He’s getting better and better every week.”
37 Liam Ross
Three disposals, four tackles
“He played a really important role in our front half for us all night and his possessions don’t tell the story.”
38 Rhys Pollock
11 disposals, four marks
“He’s starting to become really consistent and has real impact with ball in hand in the front half. It was a pleasing small forward game.”
39 Matt Ackland
12 disposals, seven marks
“Really strong in the first half. A little bit like our other players, the speed of the second half probably got to him but a great game to build off going forward.”
40 Kel Evans
13 disposals, three tackles
“Kel’s coming off a small calf injury so will be better for the run. When the whips were cracking he was right there but he probably felt the bite in the second half.”
42 Josh Green
21 disposals, four tackles
“Clearly our best midfielder on the night, along with Shipley. He definitely led the charge with our contested ball and it was a really pleasing game from Josh.”
44 Alex Smout
Seven disposals, two tackles
“Another one where stats don’t tell the story, he played an important role on the wing which allowed our mids to do their job.”
46 Callum Brown
Eight disposals, three marks
“We threw him the task of playing as a key defender with our injury list. He competed for the whole 120 minutes which was the most pleasing part.”
50 Matthew McGrory
Nine disposals, one mark
“Matt was another consistent performer for us. He sticks to his task and does his role for the team, he’s continuing to build trust in our back seven.”
