General News
25 July, 2023
Giants turn the tables on Roos
The Southern Mallee Giants flipped a 16 point loss to Dimboola in round 5 well and truly on it’s head to record a 47 point victory in Hopetoun on Saturday. While the victory was impressive in it’s own right, the Giants were missing a number of...
The Southern Mallee Giants flipped a 16 point loss to Dimboola in round 5 well and truly on it’s head to record a 47 point victory in Hopetoun on Saturday. While the victory was impressive in it’s own right, the Giants were missing a number of key players from their last outing against the Roos. Jackson Fisher, Sam White, Luke Mahony, Kieran Delahunty, Sam Weddell and Ben Webster are all some of the cream of the Giants 2023 crop, and all were absent as the Giants easily accounted for the fourth placed Roos, pushing them a game clear in third position on the ladder.
Dimboola were quick off the mark and had the first forward fifty entry, but were unable to successfully convert. The Giants rebounded well, with scrappy Ben McGee tapping the footy to his advantage before throwing it onto his boot and landing it down the throat of full forward Riley Lehmann in the goalsquare. Roos coach Jack Landt converted a 50 metre penalty half way through the term, what would be the visiting side’s only goal until quarter time. The Giants responded heartily, with four unanswered goals being posted prior to the first huddle.
The 21 point quarter time lead was extended by Giant McGee in the opening minutes guided the footy through the sticks on a run under pressure. The Roos soon responded with one of their own, before Rupert Sangster snapped and converted truly from the pocket for the Giants. The second term was much of the same with the ball continuing to rebound between the fifty metre arcs with minimal scoring conversion.
Having slightly extended their lead out to 23 points the Giants were looking to put the foot down in the third term, a quick clearance to Mickitja Rotumah-Onus affording the Giants first opportunity which they readily converted. The third term continued in much the same vain, before a late tackle by Jack Landt on Liam Nelson after he had disposed of the footy, saw the umpire bend to his sock and pull out the yellow card, sending Landt to the bench for 15 minutes, despite his many protests of innocence.
The Giants steadied for the remainder of the match, continuing to chip away at the scoreboard while the Roos became increasingly frustrated with the way the day was turning out, and their inability to run over the top of the Giants as they had done quite easily earlier in the year. By the time the final siren sounded the Giants were 47 points in front.
Coleman Schache played his best game of the season to be awarded best on ground honours, alongside Lou White and a very in-form duo Angus McSweyn and Liam Nelson.
Dylan Landt and Jack Landt were prominent for the Roos, both impacting the scoreboard with limited opportunity offered, while Jackson O’Neill was also commendable.
Unfortunately for the home side Josh Webster has been unable to see out the end of a match against the Roos in 2023, injuring his leg earlier in the season, and meeting the same fate again in round 14. The Giants will be hoping to recover some firepower from the injury list before meeting the undefeated Ararat Rats this weekend, while Dimboola will meet an in form Minyip-Murtoa who knocked off second placed Horsham Saints over the weekend.
FInal score, Giants 12.15 (87) def. 4.16 (40)
Best, Giants - Coleman Schache, Lou White, Angus McSweyn, Liam Nelson, Mickitja-Rotumah Onus, Tyler Lehmann
Roos - Dylan Landt, Jackson O’Neill, Jack Landt, Aisea Raikiwasa, Billy Hayes, Elliot Braithwaite
Another week, another couple of new (in 2023) inclusions to the depleted Giants reserves side, this time in the form of Beulah lad Jason Turnbull, after a sneaky ‘he’s coming home to visit’ tip from brother Dylan, amd Hopetoun veteran Lucas Puckle.
The Giants were able to stay in touch for the first term before Dimboola simply ran away with the footy, not affording the Giants many opportunities to add to their score. A 48 point half time defecit blew out to 73 by the final break, before the Giants were able to find goal a couple of times in the final term. It was too little, too late, the Roos kicking five of their own to extend their lead to 92 points as the final siren sounded.
Hudson McCredden continued his good run of form, played his best game of the season and took home best on ground honours, while Jaiden Cook was strong in ruck, and Kaden Petschel did plenty of good around the footy. In positive news for the Giants they were able to kick straight with every opportunity, always sending the goal umpire to fetch two flags, not one.
Sam Leith, Lachlan Mackley, Jai Secombe and Nick Williamson all kicked four apiece for the visitors, as Jack Wood was named best on.
Final score, Roos - 19.8 (122) def. Giants - 5.0 (30)
Best, Roos - Jack Wood, Lue Hutchinson, Lachlan Mackley, Nick Williamson, Christopher Miller, Ashton Stott
Giants - Hudson McCredden, Jaiden Cook, Kaden Petschel, Cody Frankel, Cooper Morris, Matt Browne
The Under 14s logged an all important victory against the winless Dimboola Roos, to enhance their chances of a finals appearance in 2023. With four games remaining the Giants have scheduled meetings with Horsham Demons and Warrack Eagles, who place above their fifth position on the ladder, and Ararat and Nhill who both sit below them. A fifth place finish would see the Giants compete in their first finals series since joining the WFNL and would make many a Giant get to the elimination final bright and early to cheer the boys on.
The goal umpire standing sentinel at the Giants end of the ground was kept busy in the first term, but unfortunately was seen waving the single flag more often than not, as the Giants missed to the left and right of the target. They regrouped at quarter time and were able to kick more goals than points in the second, continuing to keep Dimboola goalless and stretching their lead to 23 points. The Giants continued to chip away at the scoreboard for the remainder of the match, steadily adding goals and the occasional point, while the Roos were simply unable to convert their limited opportunities. The Giants finished eventual 58 point victors and will look forward to meeting Ararat on Saturday for a fifth vs sixth clash.
Max Roberts played yet another great game of footy, while brothers Charlie and Spencer Williams lead the young Giants well.
Final score, Giants - 8.16 (64) def. Roos - 0.6 (6)
Best, Giants - Max Roberts, Charlie Williams, Spencer Williams, Jackson Moore, Axel Decker, Dylan Cook.
Roos - Not supplied