The matches on 17 May were always going to be difficult with 5 locations and some key outs and several whose work commitments precluded training. One observations is common between the various correspondents below … we fought hard for our results, the victories may not have come in most cases but the fight was there. For most teams next week we have a bye which presents the opportunity to gather ourselves and plan for the biggest home and away game of the Season on the 31st.
Under 19s
The Under 19s came up against the top of the table UNSW at Kensington on Saturday. The GIANTS were looking to consolidate their third place on the ladder with a win over the competition leaders and, after a slow start, a win was looking on the cards as the GIANTS took control in the second quarter with a five goal burst to take control of the game. The lead changed several times as Mitch Bell and Jarvis Zochling led the charge, and Clancy Lambe kicked an inspirational goal to tie the scores up at half time. Unfortunately, the discipline that served the GIANTS so well in the first half waned in the third quarter. Lachlan Behagg and Matt Tarlington continued to thwart the UNSW forwards to keep the GIANTS in the game and they trailed by only 7 points by the last change . A quick goal to UNSW early in the last would set the tone for the remainder of the game. Returning from Premier grade duties, co-captain Jack Parker was busy across half forward but the GIANTS were unable to score. The combination of loose players and local knowledge saw UNSW dominate the last 10 minutes to rack up a score that belied the closeness of the game.
There were a number of lessons from this week including the need to be accountable for the entire game, and that kicks after the siren DO count - even if they bounce or are touched before crossing the goal line! The team will look to regroup against arch rivals North Shore in a fortnight as it looks to avenge its Round Three loss to the Bombers.
Division 4
After a number of close losses in the past few weeks, the team was looking to start well against a Holroyd-Parramatta side that were placed just above us on the ladder. With 5 goals to 1 in the first quarter it seemed like the Giants were continue on similar to the first round against Moorebank. However as has been the case recently, a lack of composure with the ball and a drop in fitness levels let the Goannas back into the game in the 2nd quarter. These issues could not be overcome and the side could only kick 2 points after half time. Being able to run out games will be vital to turn around these losses into wins during the return matches. Another strong week at training will be necessary to give us a chance against Campbelltown next Saturday.
Reserves
The Ressies headed out to Picken Oval knowing their sternest test of the year to date by far awaited them. Up against an inform Wests who had knocked off the undefeated defending premiers the previous week, the boys readied themselves for a tough match up.
Like they did in the 2013 Prelim, Wests jumped our boys & shot out to a 3 goal lead inside the 1st quarter. A steadying goal just before the quarter time siren reduced the lead to 10 points at the 1st break. The 2nd quarter was an arm wrestle & it saw the margin cut to 2 at the half.
The Wolves absorbed 10 minutes of Wests pressure in their attacking 50 to open the 3rd term and then the tide eventually turned and saw Manly take their first lead of the match with a great snap from Jack Hunter. In what would ultimately turn out costly our boys could not convert a handful of set shots late in the term & a late goal to Wests saw scores level at ¾ time.
The first goal in the last term was crucial & a rare backline hiccup enabled the Magpies to draw first blood. JJ leveled the scores not long after but the last 15 minutes of the match
was all Wests as they out enthused our boys and clearly wanted the 4 points more, piling on the last 3 goals of the match to run out 16 point winners. We have clearly found a player with a leap as shown by Big Dog Adams.
With 16 scoring shots to the Giants and 17 to the Magpies it shows the opportunities were closer than the final score. An injury free return by Eric Burke was welcome feature of the game. We face Sydney Uni (5-2 record) at home next Saturday and a cracking encounter can be anticipated.
Women
After a couple of crushing defeats at the hands of the most experienced teams in the division, the Women’s team headed to Gosford knowing they had a good equitable game ahead of them against another all new team. The day was hot, the team started one short, was without subs, without water runners, without a coach and had the assistant coach playing instead of coaching. Despite these setbacks – we piled onto our team bus in high spirits.
The game was hard fought with both teams looking for a rare win. The field at Gosford is small, unmarked and surrounded by netball courts, a highway and a malodorous body of water. Kicking the ball out of the field anywhere was extremely hazardous. As the lines were so faint as to be invisible, Gosford had helpers around the field to decide when the ball was out of play.
Talking our strapper into donning the fluoro water runners shirt helped a little from the second quarter and we were in the contest until the very last 10 minutes. The heat, the lack of subs vs Gosford’s constantly subbed fresh legs left the team struggling to keep up the pace. Gosford caught an extra point followed by a runaway goal in the last few minutes to take the game.
Big thanks to Kelly and Leanne, two of our injured players, making the journey up with us just to help out. Kelly drove the bus up and waved the goal flags for the first time - learning pretty much on the spot what to do and Leanne did our paperwork for us. Thanks also to Daniel for showing up to strap for us and to run some water out to us when we were fading.
Despite the result, it was a great day and a good hard game that we all enjoyed. The Gosford girls are keen and put up a good fight. Each game we understand more about where we need to put the work and what we need to improve. The awards were hard to pick at the end of this game as there wasn’t a player who didn’t put in 150%.
Bring on Penrith next week!
Seniors
Things did not go smoothly even before the game started. Some players appear to have failed to calculate the travel time and one player failing to remember his jumper. While keen not to name names think of the initials TT and you will be correct.
Campbelltown, know how to play the vast expanses of Monarch and followed a very clear pattern of sagging into to congest play and spread quickly across the open plains of Western Sydney. While the Blues advanced the ball with a process of chip chip chip the Giant’s showed that you can bring yourself back to the field with handling errors and self-imposed pressure. In that latter regard this was the desire to play on at all costs. The outcome was some very average decision making (for example kicking to several 1 on 2 and 1 on 3 contests) and less effective ball use.
As the match progressed the man on man skill differential let the Giants work their way to a lead which they gradually increased. The ultimate win of in excess of 40 points owes much to:
- James Brain who was clearly the most polished mid fielder
- Gareth Benbow who cleaned up consistently in the back half particularly when Campbelltown decided to drop a player or two behind the ball.
- Jimi McDonald who though in obvious discomfort took control of the oppositions best midfielder and took him out of the play and he ultimately left the field late in the second quarter and did not return.
- Brayden Fowler who was the dominant forward and finished with a handy bag of six goals.
Any win at the largest ground in Sydney footy is to be celebrated, however it is expected that the coaches will be looking for a more cohesive performance when the big Bendigo Bank clash against North Shore on the 31st at Weldon.
Last Modified on 20/05/2014 13:21