Under 16 Giants Match Report

After months of hard work it finally came down to 80 minutes of football for the Giants. Played at the Wangaratta Showgrounds the Giants would once again take on close rivals Mansfield in the battle for the 2017 Premiership.

In the opening quarter as expected there was no easy possessions as the pressure was intense. As was the last encounter, a tricky cross breeze kept pushing the majority of play wide on the wings and pockets making scoring very tricky. Tom Levy and Mitch Gander got on the board for the Giants kicking goals and at the first break the Giants held a small 7 point lead.

The second quarter saw Mansfield with the breeze and the Giants backline under intense pressure. As they have done all year the backline took the brunt of the pressure and held Mansfield at bay. Josh Milner was doing a great job at Full Back while Ben Wheeler was having a real influence across the half backline. A late goal to Tyson Ryan put the Giants up by 5 points at the main break.

At half time Benny Wap decided it was time to attack and placed the dangerous Adam Walsh to deep forward and allowed Brady Purcell off the leash to create through the midfield. While the Giants didn’t get the reward on the scoreboard they controlled the bulk of the play in the third quarter kicking 1 goal 7 points. Rory Wapling continued his great form and was picking up plenty of loose footy in his normal sweeping role while Rhys Goodley was also invaluable across half back in a similar role.

The last quarter with the Giants kicking against the wind it would come to how much the Giants had in the tank and how hard they were prepared to work. With some key centre clearances from James Davies and Adam Walsh, the Giants put the pressure on early and when Josh Hyland goaled twice, the Giants were out to a 24 point and it was probably at this point for the first time in the match the Giants felt the match was theirs. Late goals to Adam Walsh and Tom Rial finished off the Eagles and the Giants went on to win the Premiership by 37 points.

Rory Wapling was invaluable to the Giants picking up the best afield for the Giants but all in all it was a terrific performance by the entire team.

Giants 9-14-68 def. Eagles 4-7-31

Goal Kickers: J. Hyland 3, T. Ryan, B. Purcell, T. Levy, T. Rial, A. Walsh, M. Gander

Best Players: R. Wapling, A. Walsh, J. Davies, B. Purcell, R. Goodley, B. Wheeler

All Players
Rory Wapling was great all day. His ability to read the ball and collect the loose ball was invaluable. Capped off a fantastic year with a best on ground performace.

Ben Wheeler was close to best on ground. His attack off the half back line was sensational and he collected perhaps more hard ball gets than anyone else on the ground

Tyson Ryan after a week of sickness proved to be dangerous up forward and kicked a crucial goal just before half time

James Arendt ruled the outer wing. Although on a player with similar pace Jimma was just too skillful. He gave the Giants plenty of transition through the outer side

Luke Dunne got injured early in the game but while on the ground was a solid contributor.

Declan Chibnall picked up the dangerous Sammy Thompson and took him completely out of the game. It was one of keys victories that set the Giants up.

Hayden Ryan was ferocious at the ball all day and epitomized the attack expected. Hayden won crucial contests in the middle and across half back.

James Davies saved his best for the last quarter but was solid all day. He gave the Giants plenty of grunt through the middle and was involved in most of the attack through the centre.

Tom Levy kick a crucial goal early and looked ready for a big one until he jarred his knee early in the second quarter

Josh Milner was fantastic as full back and was rarely beaten. Playing on a guy with plenty of girth Josh got to the front of the contest and was a clear winner.

Angus Robson back from shoulder injury was used in the forward line and almost pulled down a miraculous mark in the last quarter

Andrew Harris who probably shouldn’t have been playing after a recent shoulder injury was solid on and off the bench. He did not shirk a contest all day

Tom Rial was very solid across the backline but injured his shoulder and was moved forward. Kicked one of the sealers in a great game.

Brady Purcell got a job curtailing the Eagles most dangerous players in the first half. After half time began winning plenty of his own footy and one of the Giants most valuable players.

Adam Walsh played a great captains game. Great in the ruck and around the ground as usual. Always drawing close attention from the opposition Adam was a standout for the Giants

Jesse Walker had the most influence in the final quarter taking several telling marks to set up key forward thrusts.

Bailey Davis much like Hayden Ryan epitimised the relentless attack in the backline that was asked for. Laid several bone crunching tackles that set the Eagles on their heels

Aidan Turner the latest of late inclusions was sensational in limited game time. Took a couple of fantastic marks and was rarely beaten in the contest.

Josh Hyland played a crucial key forward role for the Giants. Kicked three goals but gave plenty forward pressure to anything that came his way as well.

Henry O’Halloran played a key role in the backline and ruck. He won several contested balls in the backline and gave the Giants some momentum when moved into the ruck

Mitch Gander kicked a goal in the first quarter and was looking very dangerous before coming from the ground quite dazed. A sold contribution from the Giants swing man.

Rhys Goodley got another job at half back this week and once again he proved to be one of the keys to stopping the Eagles attack. Out marked and simply too classy for the opposition.