THE GREATER Western Sydney (GWS) Giants Academy has gone down in a three-point thriller to AFL Canberra in their Summer Series clash at Alan Ray Oval. After a 61-point defeat at the hands of AFL Sydney last week, the Giants proved much more competitive against their local Under 22 adversaries.

AFL Canberra kicked ahead in a definitive third quarter, booting three unanswered goals after trailing at the first two breaks. The lead got out to a high of 21 points in term four before GWS slammed home four consecutive majors to snatch the lead, only to cough it up again with around three minutes left to play.

The result sees GWS go 0-2 with one fixture remaining in this year’s Summer Series – against the Sydney Swans Academy in Blacktown on Saturday. Sydney boasts a perfectly opposite 2-0 record having taken down both Under 22 sides so far, by an average margin of 29 points.

AFL CANBERRA U22 2.3 | 4.5 | 7.8 | 9.9 (63)
GIANTS ACADEMY U18 4.2 | 5.3 | 5.4 | 9.6 (60)

Giants Academy U18: J. Jovanovic 2, R. Hamilton 2, J. Allen, T. Malmborg, J. Fairman, E. Matthews
AFL Canberra U22: O. Cannon, L. Drury, L. Harrison, B. Walker, F. Read, J. Dunstall, B. Vardy, A. Harsdorf, B. Rickard

>> ROUND 1: Giants cut down to size in Summer Series

SCOUTING NOTES

#1 Jake Fairman
Small Forward | 177cm | 25/08/2007

Fairman bookended his game with plenty of pace and energy, proving elusive across the ground. His speed was evident early on as he stormed over the back into an open goal, only to slam the ball into the post. He also showed smarts in a tight spot to clear the forward 50 stoppage and assist Jack Jovanovic‘s first goal. Perhaps Fairman’s best contributions, though, came in the final quarter as he was moved into midfield. There, his urgency to move the play forward helped the Giants pile on four-straight goals, including one of his own where he straightened up and finished nicely on the run.

#5 Ethan Matthews
Defender | 185cm | 04/09/2008

One of four bottom-agers afield in a bolstered lineup, Matthews backed up his promising Round 1 performance with more signs of quality. He displayed good instincts and the courage to act on them to take intercept marks, including one in the third quarter where he ran full tilt to chop off an AFL Canberra pass across his defensive 50. Another intercept at half-forward saw the 16-year-old put his side in front during term four on the back of a 50m penalty, showing calmness and skill defiant of his age.

#20 Bailey-Dean Latanis
Wing | 183cm | 07/12/2007

Latanis built on his previous outing to prove a key threat for the Giants going forward. Making the wing his own, he looked most dangerous when released by hand to drive his legs on the outside and launch a long kick inside 50. Such play saw him involved in several scoring passages, with his directness setting up goals for Riley Hamilton and Jake Fairman in the first and fourth quarters.

#22 Kohan Prenter
Midfielder | 187cm | 16/02/2006

A handy find for GWS in the over-age category, Prenter represented AFL Sydney in last year’s Summer Series. He impressed this time in the Giants’ charcoal and orange, showcasing nice traits on both sides of midfield. The 19-year-old constantly looked to take the game on with fends and side-steps, proving smooth when moving through traffic. His ability to break into space and attack through the corridor brought impetus to the Giants’ ball movement, albeit if a little hasty at times.

#23 Lachlan Moresi
Midfielder | 181cm | 08/03/2007

A strong and powerful unit in midfield, Moresi made his impact felt at the contest. He was not afraid to make his presence felt in a defensive sense, hunting the opposition and thriving on heavy contact. The top-ager also won first possession and looked to generate momentum for his side, although his kicking technique is quite unorthodox and proved as much when exiting stoppages.

#28 Riley Hamilton
Forward | 189cm | 15/08/2006

Hamilton came to life late in the opening term, booting consecutive goals to give his side an 11-point advantage at quarter time. He proved a difficult matchup one-out inside 50 with his size and movement, able to either take contested marks or recover the ground ball. The over-ager showed great goal sense and threw himself into tackles, also working up the ground to help connect inside 50. After a quieter second half, Hamilton had the chance to win his side the game on but his 50m set shot fell short.

#33 Charlie Harper
Defender | 190cm | 23/01/2008

Harper built into his work nicely, entering his bottom-age campaign having been named the Giants’ MVP at last year’s Under 16 National Championships. The tall defender became more prominent in the second half, especially in term three where he made some solid spoils and intercepts. He helped GWS reload and go forward by occupying a high line and winning back possession with sound reading of the play. A double effort to lay repeat tackles in term four was among his highlights in a defensive sense.

#39 Jim Houston
Ruck | 196cm | 10/02/2007

Houston had claims on being best afield in the first half with his work as an undersized ruck. The top-ager’s competitiveness and follow-up work were outstanding, often getting first hand to the ball before staying involved at ground level. He improvised his taps nicely and was quite effective in the first half before AFL Canberra’s midfielders began to read where the ball would land. Houston also dropped back and flew for his marks when required, doing all he could to impact the contest.

OTHERS:

The Giants had a good amount of talls to call upon, with Jack Jovanovic being one. He booted two goals as one of his side’s main scoring threats. Oliver Withers and Hunter Higgins helped get things going in the engine room, while Brody Kane and Ryan Shipard provided plenty of defensive support and rebound. Others to show nice signs included speedy forward Jack Warden, wingman Joshua Allen, and Jethro Snelling – all top-agers.

SUMMER SERIES FIXTURES

ROUND 1:

AFL Canberra U22 3.7 (25) def. by Swans U18 Academy 9.9 (63)
Giants Academy U18 2.10 (22) def. by AFL Sydney U22 12.11 (83)

ROUND 2:

AFL Canberra U22 9.9 (63) def. Giants Academy U18 9.6 (60)
AFL Sydney U22 5.1 (31) def. by Swans Academy U18 7.8 (50)

ROUND 3:

Giants Academy U18 vs. Swans Academy U18
Saturday March 15, 4:00pm @ Blacktown ISP