Land of the Giants
Premiership Player
Good solid win today, breaking a long run of outs at Manuka Oval. And we got a really decent crowd against a low-drawing opponent on a sunny afternoon. Maybe the powers-that-be will learn something about match scheduling in future.
It seems early, but we say goodbye to Canberra for another nine months. Now we drive a bit further down the road. Remember our first visit to Ballarat?
It was only two years ago, although it seems like an eternity. We were playing the Suns and leading by a comfortable margin at the last change, before they ran over the top of us and won by a point. The distant drum beats of “Leon Out” became a little louder after that.
The fade-out was an example of perhaps our biggest weaknesses under Leon – inconsistency. That looks like it might have changed under Kingsley. Apart from the blowout defeat to Collingwood and victory against Fremantle, we’ve been noticeably more consistent this season. The players seem appropriately motivated every time they run out.
The Bulldogs won in Round 8 when we were still getting used to the new game plan and a bit unsettled, missing Sam Taylor and Toby. Briggs had also yet to appear out of nowhere.To be frank, we were never in it. Looking at the stats you’d think it was pretty even, but they were in front for virtually the entire game and the final score flattered us.
This time we’ll be without Tom Green, who had an outstanding game against them, with 38 touches and three goals. The question is whether we can cover for him as we did with the Crows and Suns.
With no injuries (provided Toby was only subbed out for a rest), this is how I think the team will line up:
FB Jack Buckley, Sam Taylor, Connor Idun
HB Lachie Ash, Harry Himmelberg, Lachie Whitfield
C Josh Kelly, Callan Ward, Finn Callaghan
HF Daniel Lloyd, Jake Riccardi, Toby Bedford
FF Brent Daniels, Jesse Hogan, Toby Greene
FOL Kieren Briggs, Harry Perryman, Stephen Coniglio
IC Callum M. Brown, Nick Haynes, Isaac Cumming, Ryan Angwin
Sub: Fahey
In: Hogan
Out: Cadman
In other words, no change, except for Cadman, who had virtually no impact today. Hopefully Hogan will have recovered from his injury and return. If he doesn’t, Kingsley might have to get creative. He might think about Flynn for his marking ability, but he’s slow, and we don’t want to go back to being slow. We need someone mobile who suits the running game. I still think it's unwise to include Derksen or Gruzewski. It's too late to start experimenting with debutants, especially against the Bulldogs. The stakes of losing are suddenly much higher.
Six consecutive wins have changed everyone's expectations and even the bookies are treating us with more respect. Kingsley well and truly has the ear of the players. They sense he might have the keys to the kingdom.
Saturday will be an absolute cracker in Eureka Town. Go Giants!
It seems early, but we say goodbye to Canberra for another nine months. Now we drive a bit further down the road. Remember our first visit to Ballarat?
It was only two years ago, although it seems like an eternity. We were playing the Suns and leading by a comfortable margin at the last change, before they ran over the top of us and won by a point. The distant drum beats of “Leon Out” became a little louder after that.
The fade-out was an example of perhaps our biggest weaknesses under Leon – inconsistency. That looks like it might have changed under Kingsley. Apart from the blowout defeat to Collingwood and victory against Fremantle, we’ve been noticeably more consistent this season. The players seem appropriately motivated every time they run out.
The Bulldogs won in Round 8 when we were still getting used to the new game plan and a bit unsettled, missing Sam Taylor and Toby. Briggs had also yet to appear out of nowhere.To be frank, we were never in it. Looking at the stats you’d think it was pretty even, but they were in front for virtually the entire game and the final score flattered us.
This time we’ll be without Tom Green, who had an outstanding game against them, with 38 touches and three goals. The question is whether we can cover for him as we did with the Crows and Suns.
With no injuries (provided Toby was only subbed out for a rest), this is how I think the team will line up:
FB Jack Buckley, Sam Taylor, Connor Idun
HB Lachie Ash, Harry Himmelberg, Lachie Whitfield
C Josh Kelly, Callan Ward, Finn Callaghan
HF Daniel Lloyd, Jake Riccardi, Toby Bedford
FF Brent Daniels, Jesse Hogan, Toby Greene
FOL Kieren Briggs, Harry Perryman, Stephen Coniglio
IC Callum M. Brown, Nick Haynes, Isaac Cumming, Ryan Angwin
Sub: Fahey
In: Hogan
Out: Cadman
In other words, no change, except for Cadman, who had virtually no impact today. Hopefully Hogan will have recovered from his injury and return. If he doesn’t, Kingsley might have to get creative. He might think about Flynn for his marking ability, but he’s slow, and we don’t want to go back to being slow. We need someone mobile who suits the running game. I still think it's unwise to include Derksen or Gruzewski. It's too late to start experimenting with debutants, especially against the Bulldogs. The stakes of losing are suddenly much higher.
Six consecutive wins have changed everyone's expectations and even the bookies are treating us with more respect. Kingsley well and truly has the ear of the players. They sense he might have the keys to the kingdom.
Saturday will be an absolute cracker in Eureka Town. Go Giants!
Last edited:
