A cool morning welcomed both teams to Monarch Oval with a southerly blowing across the ground, the Giants going into the game confident of a favourable outcome. The team also welcomed 2 new players to the ranks in Steven Day from Camden U16s who added some zip around the forward line and Joel Pearse who is new to the game added some welcome height around the ground.
1st Qtr
It was tough going in the centre at the opening bounce with both sides determined to get first use of the ball, Riverview swept the ball forward and were first to score, the backline were working hard with the onballers assisting. Riverview skipped to a 3 goal lead and the boys had to dig deep and dig deep they did, the Giants started to win the ball and with some hard work from Warren, Luke V, Charlie, and Tim giving the forwards some great ball. Matt Smith was taking strong marks in the forward line, while the man mountain Joel Franchi was using his size to the Giants advantage. The Giants first goal came from Bevan Keys who was standing front and centre at a marking contest with the ball dropping into his arms and a quick snap and the Giants were on the board. This sparked the Giants and with the onballers working tirelessly it saw the Giants using the ball very well. Another goal from Matt Smith and then Joel Franchi saw the Giants within 2 points. The backline worked hard all qtr with Callum, Luke Mc, Aiden, and Josh all putting in the hard yards to repel the Riverview attack.
1st Qtr score
Riverview 3.2.20 to Macarthur Giants 3.0.18
2nd Qtr
The 2nd qtr started with the Giants kicking into a strong breeze and Riverview took advantage of the wind and took the ball forward at every opportunity, their onballers started to take control of the game and while the Giants put up a lot of resistence the students rallied with the wind and piled on 4 quick goals, Jordan, Ethan, Nick, and Shea worked hard around the ground while Jacob, Charlie, and Mitchall were a thorn in Riverviews side. All the Giants players were working hard for each other and some very smart ball running saw the Giants push deep into attack for first gamer Joel Pearse to kick his first goal in AFL, the boys rallied around him and congratulated him on a fine effort. There was not one Giants player that did not contribute whether it was in defence or running the ball downfield and into our forwardline. Tim, Luke V, Aiden, Cory and Micheal were all strong at the ball and although Riverview skipped to a handy lead the Giants came off at halftime with heads held high.
Halftime score
Riverview 8.4.52 to Macarthur Giants 4.2. 26
3rd Qtr
The Giants started the 3rd qtr with confidence and took the game to Riverview, although the score for the qtr did not reflect the hard work all the Giants players put in, the ball see-sawed up and down the field with the Giants onballers gaining momentum and the backline starving Riverviews forwards of quality ball. Many times the Giants stringed together some quality passes and quick playon football with Mitchall Broadstock working hard to shutdown Riverviews main go to player. Warren, Aiden and Jacob were working hard around the ground in the ruck while Luke V, Charlie, Jordan, and Nick were running the ball deep into our attack. Matt was taking strong marks while Ethan, Shea, Josh and Jonothan kept their opposing players in check. This was a close qtr and the Giants never gave Riverview an easy ball get and took it up to thier talented opposition. Goals to Charlie and Warren kept the Giants within reach of Riverview.
3qtr time score
Riverview 11.5.71 to Macarthur Giants 6.2.38
4th Qtr
Last qtr and the Giants were still confident of pegging back the score, but the hard running and physicality of the first 3 qtrs took thier toll on the Giants and although they kept trying Riverview applied more pressure and ran away with the game and with stout defence the Giants withstood a 12 shot last qtr by Riverview, the return of 5 goals 7 behinds showed how hard the Giants worked in defence. With goals to Luke McCann and another to Joel Pearse giving him 2 for the game, the Giants stood tall and every player finished the game with their heads held high with the knowledge that they gave thier all for the fledgling team and not all opposition will have it all thier own way. The Giants are getting better and better every game and it wont be long before they crack it for thier first win. There is not one player in the team that does not try thier very best. And as the team song says...." There is a big big sound from the west of the town" and our boys will have their day.
Final Score
Riverview 16.12.109 def Macarthur Giants 8.2.50
Goals. Joel Pearse 2, Bevan Keys 1, Charlie Ford 1, Joel Franchi 1, Matt Smith 1, Luke McCann 1, Warren Normoyle 1
Best. Charlie Ford, Luke McCann, Luke Vella, Aiden Williams, Joel Pearse, Tim Trautsch
Last Modified on 22/05/2013 15:20