GWS GIANTS Academy bounced back from its first round AFL Under 16 Championships defeat to Sydney Swans Academy by storming to an easy 62-point win over Northern Territory at People First Stadium yesterday. The orange team overcame early inaccuracy to put the foot down in the second half and secure a strong 14.19 (103) to 6.5 (41) win.

It was a tight contest throughout the first half with the Giants unable to capitalise on far more entries. Heading into the last seven minutes of the half, GWS had kicked 2.11 (23) and trailed the Top End team 4.3 (27). However a couple of late goals in the half to Hayden Donohue and Cooper French handed the Giants an eight-point lead at the main break.

They never looked back from there, piling on 12 of the last 14 goals to go from a four-point deficit to a 62-point win. All bar four Giants had double-digit disposals – including seven with 22 or more – as well as four multiple goalkickers in the win.

GIANTS ACADEMY 2.6 | 4.11 | 8.15 | 14.19 (103)
NORTHERN TERRITORY 2.2 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 6.5 (41)

GOALS:
Giants Academy: H. Donohue 3, R. Masters 3, Co. French 2, L. Sutherland 2, B. Kopievsky, B. Ryan, A. Pound, C. Bright
Northern Territory: H. Timms 2, B. Barnard, G. Lawford, L. Wunungmurra, F. Murphy

BEST:
Giants Academy: R. Roberts, Ch. French, Co. French, H. Donohue, A. Henderson
Northern Territory: H. Timms, H. Rock, J. Munnich, B. Barnard, G. Trigwell

GIANTS ACADEMY:

#11 Cooper French
Forward | 178cm | 28/03/2009

Stats: 25 disposals, 8 marks, 2 goals, 2 behinds

A really lively type in the match where he seemed to constantly find space inside 50 and mark uncontested in goal-scoring positions. Though his early long-range set shot – that he looked to pass off – went well wide, he would finish the game with two goals and two behinds. Both his majors came from set shots, though he also set up teammates around the 50 as well. Right sided dominant meant opting for snaps over using the left, but showed nice vision and presented well.

#13 Ben Kopievsky
Defender | 179cm | 17/01/2009

Stats: 24 disposals, 8 marks, 5 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Similar to French but up the other end of the ground, Kopievsky provided some nice creativity from defence around the bigger boys who crashed the packs. The 179cm defender took a few great intercept marks of his own, but did his damage through little flick handballs or or eyeing off biting the kick into the corridor. As the game was clearly going his side’s way, Kopievsky got more confident and pushed further up with one shot unluckily hitting the post in the final term before nailing a set shot goal from 40m following a 50m penalty in his favour.

#17 Riley Roberts
Midfielder | 180cm | 18/06/2009

Stats: 24 disposals, 4 marks, 7 tackles, 8 clearances, 6 inside 50s

Stood out all game and was honestly arguably best afield for his work on the inside where he was able to not only win it at the coalface, but spread to the outside and find the ball as well. His reading of the play off hands followed by a quick release handball to a teammate was a feature of his game. Roberts produced some piercing kicks going forward, and every time he seemed to touch the ball either something happened, or something was about to happen through his teammates. For a highly contested player, he still found space to impact in the air, and was highly efficient with everything he did.

#23 Chase French
Midfielder | 183cm | 17/04/2009

Stats: 27 disposals, 7 marks, 4 tackles, 4 clearances, 4 inside 50s

The other ‘C French’ in the game – who hails from Lavington while Cooper is from Ainslie – was a prolific ball-winner who covers the ground exceptionally well. At times he had two or three touches within a chain and transitioned from the inside to outside easily. His hands at the stoppage were clean, and he has some nice athletic traits with a sidestep and is not afraid to arch the back and create separation on his opponent. Went at an exceptionally high efficiency and was predominantly a second or third-possession winner around the ball.

#25 Hayden Donohue
Forward | 184cm | 13/06/2009

Stats: 19 disposals, 7 marks, 3 goals, 3 behinds

The medium forward peppered the goals for fun and finished with six scoring shots and a number of other potential chances as well. Late in the match he looked a little in two minds and opted to overhandball to let another teammate try and take a shot after snapping a major from a set shot moments earlier. He kicked a goal in the first and second terms too, the latter being a relief for his side after a long run of behinds. Provided an aerial contest and looked dangerous each time he went near it.

#27 Aiden Henderson
Defender | 187cm | 30/04/2009

Stats: 28 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 7 rebound 50s

Racked up the ball out of defence and provided a thorn in the Northern Territory’s side. His third term – which produced a remarkable 13 touches – really shot him up to be the most prolific player on the ground – although he still had the 11 by half-time. Henderson still used it effectively, and was crucial in transitioning the ball from defence into attack, and just mopped up everything that came his way. He looked to provide some run and carry as well to influence the scoreboard indirectly as well.

#34 Boston Macri
Defender | 192cm | 20/05/2009

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 marks, 4 rebound 50s

While not quite at the high production value of his teammates, Macri was worth a mention for his eye-catching traits deep in defence. He took a couple of brilliant one-on-one marks in the first half, often saving the day with his work up against Timms. While the scoreline in the end suggests the Giants were never in threat of losing, Macri still saved at least a couple of goals and moved well which suggests he is a name that recruiters will jot down to see how he develops over the next couple of years.

NORTHERN TERRITORY:

#9 Ben Barnard
Midfielder/Defender | 182cm | 26/03/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 4 marks, 8 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal

The hard-running Barnard gave off Trent McKenzie mid-2010s vibes with a cannon of a right boot. The Territorian rotated between half-back and midfield and each time he wound up to release you just knew it was going to travel well out of the danger zone. His goal from 55m on the run in the second term went half-post high which was ultra impressive on a day without a breathe of wind to be found. His execution can definitely be worked on, but he also looked to weave around opponents and applied fantastic pressure, laying the second most tackles in the game.

#18 Hugo Timms
Forward | 193cm | 17/12/2009

Stats: 17 disposals, 5 hitouts, 5 inside 50s, 2 goals

Looked the most threatening up forward for the Territory, booting two goals including one against the flow in the final quarter route. He competed aerially and though often had the likes of Macri for company which made life difficult, showed off his tricks with an early dribble goal to spark his side. Timms protects the ball drop and leads to space, while also looking clean at ground level and mobile for his size. At 193cm, he could well grow into that full key position height, and was the standout top-ager for his side.

#22 Hau-Tze Rock
Defender | 179cm | 03/03/2008

Stats: 27 disposals, 6 marks, 6 rebound 50s

Another over-ager who found plenty of the ball in the back half, Rock went at 85 per cent disposal efficiency, albeit with most of them uncontested. He still looked to run and carry from the defensive 50, teaming up with Gus Trigwell to transition the ball to safety. Unfortunately the game usually broke down the following disposal after his, which meant he was always around the contest. Still, Rock played his role to perfection and was steadfast even in defeat.

#24 Joel Munnich
Midfielder/Forward | 174cm | 09/01/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 4 marks, 7 tackles, 3 clearances, 7 inside 50s

Had some nice moments in the match for the Territory, and looked willing to bite off the risky kick if needed. At one point he streamed down the middle nicely and weighted a kick well going forward. He almost kicked an early goal that was frustratingly touched on the line by a teammate who tried to mark. Made his mark felt around the ball with some strong tackles and was one of his side’s better players.

#25 Gary Lawford
Forward/Midfielder | 172cm | 02/05/2009

Stats: 12 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal

The top-age small is a name who should benefit from the Oakleigh Chargers program in the Coates Talent League, boarding in Melbourne and originally hails from Western Australia. Lawford started forward in the match, where he only had two touches in the first half before going into the midfield and flourishing. He would have eight touches in the third quarter then went set back into attack for the last where again he barely saw it, but dribbled a clever goal against the flow after taking advantage.