The GIANTS have secured a 38-point win over the Sydney Swans in round 11 of the VFL.
The match - due to be played at GIANTS Stadium in Sydney - was moved to Collingwood's training base after both clubs relocated to Melbourne earlier last week.
Xavier O'Halloran, Tom Green and Jake Riccardi starred for the GIANTS as they defeated the Sydney Swans 13.15 (93) to 8.7 (55).
Youngster Tom Green responded well to being omitted, registering 41 disposals, 11 clearances and a goal.
Jake Riccardi (three goals) and Xavier O'Halloran (32 disposals, two goals) were both impressive for the GIANTS, with Lachie Ash, James Peatling, Matt Buntine and Tanner Bruhn all to come into contention for AFL selection this week.
GIANTS VFL coach Luke Kelly praised his side’s resilience and ability to grind through the contest after a tough week.
"Our original plan was to bring our Canberra and Riverina guys from our VFL list and Academy to Victoria, but then those regions were declared an orange zone overnight on Sunday which means they would've been forced to test and isolate and just hoped we got a negative test back in time for the match.
"In the end we wanted to be able to assure ourselves of a game and the Murray Bushrangers were amazing to provide three players and in return they ended up playing short themselves because of it.
"The Falcons - who were working with the Swans - had an extra so we were able to get one there, and Essendon VFL helped us out as well with their emergency, so we're thankful to all those clubs for their help at the last minute."
After a big week, Kelly was proud of the comprehensive victory, with the GIANTS dominant for the majority of the game.
"To have the week we had, and turn up the way we did and put in the first quarter and then build on that in the second was great," he said.
"We played our GIANTS brand of football that we pride ourself on, obviously led by the boys around the ball.
"Losing a couple of players early in the second did put a little bit of a strain on the boys out there but was a great battle in the end.
"It was pleasing to get the result and get a couple of good quarters of solid football in."
The GIANTS are scheduled to take on the Casey Demons this week with a date, time and location to be confirmed.
Tanner Bruhn
19 disposals, 1 goal
"We've moved Tanner back into the midfield after he played as a forward in the AFL. You can see his class around the goals, he kicked 1.1 and looked dangerous throughout the night. His inside work is really good and like any young midfielder he's working on getting from contest to contest."
Lachie Ash
18 disposals, 1 goal
"To be the substitute at AFL level, do a really solid warm up, sit down to watch the AFL and then to rush over to the VFL, warm up again, he worked really hard. After Nick (Shipley) went down we moved him into the midfield and he went to work with his big engine. He had 18 touches, his efficiency was over 90% and he was able to finish with a goal, so a really pleasing return."
Ryan Angwin
16 disposals, 4 tackles
"Ryan has been tracking really well in terms of his wing role and being able to inject himself into the game more. He probably didn't have his biggest impact in terms of his offensive game, but for a young guy he ended up playing over 90% game time which is a testament to how he has developed his body. That will hold him in good stead ahead of the next level."
Jacob Wehr
21 disposals, 12 marks
"Jacob was the travelling emergency for the AFL last week so missed the VFL, but he came back in this week and along with Peatling and Ash worked really well together moving the ball out of our defensive half. He's finding a level of consistency now in terms of both his defensive and offensive work, which we're liking."
Tom Green
41 disposals, 1 goal
"Tom was obviously disappointed to be omitted from AFL level but he responded like all good players do. He bought his weapons from the get go, he had 20 contested possessions out of his 41, 11 clearances which we know is his strong point. Most importantly he was able to work on the areas that he was left out of the side for."
Conor Stone
7 disposals, 1 mark
"Really disappointing night in the end for Conor, suffering another injury to his hamstring. He started well, was lively around the contest. He'll do his rehab and we'll see him again this season."
Matt Buntine
21 disposals, 8 marks
"Matt's a real model of consistency for us down back. We know defensively what he'll provide each week, but we challenged him to improve offensively. For him to have 21 disposals and help drive the ball forward was really pleasing."
Jake Riccardi
3 goals, 21 disposals
"He kicked 3.4, again a smart forward who played on an AFL listed defender. His work rate was really good and was able to have a real impact inside the forward half. He'll continue to get better and better."
Zach Sproule
15 disposals, 1 goal
"We really loved Sprouley's game, he went looking for a contest and he competed hard. It wasn't a night for the forwards so to have the impact in the air - along with Riccardi - was really pleasing. Love the way he attacked the night."
Cam Fleeton
16 disposals, 5 marks
"His ability to impact and support in the air was really good. We loved his fundamentals in terms of his cleanliness and he was really solid down back."
Xavier O'Halloran
2 goals, 32 disposals
"Really happy with Xavier's performance, especially his work rate from contest to contest. If he continues to work on his fundamentals he'll continue to have a bigger impact, because he's getting the ball in his hands. He kicked 2.4 but if he finishes a bit more that's really good night."
Nick Shipley
10 disposals, 4 tackles
"Nick started really well. He was clean, he was hunting the ball and tackling hard and due to his intent he got concussed. He'll do everything right and return in due order."
Will Shaw
15 disposals, 1 goal
"Starting to have a bigger impact on the wing but also as a half forward. Probably didn't have the impact by foot that he would've liked, but one that never drops his work rate and never drops his want for the contest."
Jake Stein
16 disposals, 3 marks
"Had a really good duel on McLean who has obviously played a lot of AFL football this season. He did a good job on him and fought really hard for the whole contest, was really good."
James Peatling
26 disposals, 1 goal
"Competed consistently for the entire contest. He willed himself to the contest and had a big impact."
Callum Brown
9 disposals, 1 goal
"He's really transformed himself into a versatile defender. He's now able to play on any size forward. He continues to get himself in really good positions. It's just a matter of finishing the work in the air. But to be able to kick a goal on the run, we're starting to see glimpses of his offensive game as well."
Cameron McLeod
9 disposals, 1 tackle
"A great learning curve for him, in a game that was pretty quick. I thought his work rate was really good, he kept working hard all night, he'll take a lot of learning from it."
Kade Chalcraft
14 disposals, 3 clearances
"Always hard when you've been playing as inside midfielder to transition to half forward. I thought he showed his skill with ball in hand and his will to hunt and tackle which is all we ask of our forwards."
Lachlan Kidd
16 disposals, 3 marks
"Another one who played out of position. Lachlan usually plays at half back so to move to half forward you could see his footballing smarts come to the forefront. He was still able to find the ball and used it really well. He swung back and forward in the second half with ease, and it was a really good night."
Thomas Panuccio
13 disposals, 3 marks
"Worked really hard all night. He got up and back, again, been playing wing but as a high half forward he was able to use his motor. Probably disappointed not to hit the scoreboard with the chances he created but really pleased with his effort."
Harry Grintell
9 disposals, 1 goal
"Part of the GIANTS Academy, Harry's work rate for a small forward is brilliant. He works hard for his opportunities and he showed some really classy moments with his ability to finish near goal."
Wade Derksen
13 disposals, 8 hit-outs
"Coming back from some consistent injuries, Wade's played the majority of the contest as a ruck. To come up against a ruckman like Callum Sinclair and compete for the entire contest was impressive. His agility and ability to cover the ground and stay in the contest was really good."
