THE GIANTS Academy notched its third win on the bounce after accounting for Tasmania to the tune of 28 points in Blacktown on Saturday. A dominant first half set the platform for victory as GWS’ core midfielders ran riot throughout, helping their side lead by an unassailable 46 points at the main break.

A total of six Giants booted multiple goals, including a high of four from bottom-ager Brynley Ryan. Meanwhile, star top-ager Ethan Matthews ran the show with a monster 37-disposal outing. We took not of the top prospects and performers from either side in their Round 8 clash.

GIANTS ACADEMY 5.1 | 12.3 | 14.4 | 18.6 (114)
TASMANIA DEVILS 3.1 | 4.5 | 10.7 | 13.10 (88)

GOALS:
Giants Academy: B. Ryan 4, J. Corbett 2, B. Kane 2, E. Matthews 2, L. Roberts 2, R. Shipard 2, C. French, A. Maher, R. Roberts, B. Smith
Tasmania Devils: J. Beams 2, T. Bearman 2, H. McCallum 2, C. Oliver 2, B. Barwick, T. Geappen, L. Heazlewood, T. Thomas, M. Young

BEST:
Giants Academy: E. Matthews, B. Ryan, C. French, R. Mardling, R. Roberts, L. Roberts
Tasmania Devils: J. Beams, J. Morrison, B. Russell, H. McCallum, T. Munting, M. Flanagan

GIANTS ACADEMY:

#2 Cooper French
Midfielder/Forward | 178cm | 28/03/2009

Stats: 23 disposals, 8 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal

French produce a massive first half, collecting 15 of his 23 disposals and posing a threat on the attack. As usual, the bottom-ager’s speed and creativity caused headaches when exiting the contest, while he covered plenty of ground to provide run on the outside. French was all-action, albeit a little erratic under pressure, but steadied nicely in space to hit some darting kicks inside 50. He spent more time forward in the second half and continued to be quick and clean at the coalface. His lone goal came from a snap in the opening term, roving the forward 50 stoppage expertly.

#4 Brynley Ryan
Midfielder/Forward | 176cm | 04/06/2009

Stats: 20 disposals, 4 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 4 goals

Ryan was deadly within range of goal, booting four majors with a variety of finishes. His bread and butter was swooping on ground balls and snapping over his shoulder, but Ryan also slammed one home from beyond 50 metres in the second quarter. He showed a great ability to take the ball on the move and used his burst speed to break clear of the packs. Ryan’s hunger for scores was highlighted in the third term where he essentially chased his teammate into the open goal, just in case he wanted to hand it off.

#5 Ethan Matthews
Midfielder | 186cm | 04/09/2008

Stats: 37 disposals, 8 clearances, 8 inside 50s, 2 goals

It was another Matthews masterclass on Saturday, as the Giants Academy standout did as he pleased in midfield. Much like French and Ryan, he worked to take the ball on the move at stoppages, but just as easily accumulated possessions on the outside. Matthews was a prominent link player between the arcs, showing spurts of speed and dare while looking forward. He dominated wherever he went, using the ball well by hand and foot, and hitting the scoreboard with two clinical finishes on the run. His first came on the the end of a terrific one-two passage from the wing.

#10 Brody Kane
Forward | 182cm | 31/10/2007

Stats: 11 disposals, 4 tackles, 2 goals

Kane only needs a few opportunities to impact and did so in this match with some clinical ball use. One of his best early moments was a sliding kick inside 50 which was placed beautifully in front of a teammate, while he later steadied nicely to slot his first goal. The over-ager added another in term three as others scrambled for the ball, proving a sharp finisher amid chaos. Kane consistently looked to use his lateral movement and take on opponents, albeit doing too much at times, and helped keep the likes of Jake Beams accountable when the pair matched up on each other.

#15 Lucas Roberts
Defender/Midfielder | 186cm | 17/03/2008

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 tackles, 2 goals

Roberts brought some of his best traits to the fore, producing moments throughout the four quarters. He looked sharp, clean and agile each time he received the ball, usually darting into space to utilise his foot skills. Roberts’ distribution was neat and he even snuck forward to boot two goals – the first being a flukey snap which bounced through over the back. The top-ager also proved to be a capable tackler, locking up opponents to balance out his offensive traits.

#39 Jim Houston
Key Defender | 196cm | 10/02/2007

Stats: 24 disposals, 8 marks, 7 rebound 50s

Houston had no problem reeling in a series of intercept marks on Saturday, positioning well behind the ball and snapping it up safe as houses. He simply didn’t fumble overhead and was there to support teammates when the ball hit the deck, providing a calm head under pressure. Houston’s physicality and strength were also felt both in the air and on the follow-up. While quite efficient by hand, he can continue to work on his execution and decision making by foot.

TASMANIA DEVILS:

#5 Jake Beams
Defender | 181cm | 22/12/2009

Stats: 27 disposals, 11 marks, 10 rebound 50s, 2 goals

Beams took a little time to find his rhythm, but once he did, was an absolute weapon. The bottom-ager accumulated possessions as usual and brought his kick-first approach, picking out targets with flat and penetrative delivery. He looked most potent when going direct, dictating the play from deep in defence and following up further afield. Beams slammed home two quality long-range goals to compound his impact in term three, wheeling around on his favoured left side to good effect.

#6 Archie Devine
Midfielder/Defender | 181cm | 13/02/2008

Stats: 26 disposals, 8 clearances, 5 inside 50s

Devine is another who hardly has an issue finding the ball, and that was no different on Saturday. He was most productive when looking to spark combination play, taking off and inciting one-two passages to drive the ball into attack. His creative instincts and strong kick penetration made for several dangerous passages going end-to-end, and he ran out the game down back. There, Devine’s run and playmaking ability continued to shine.

#12 Hugh McCallum
Wing | 181cm | 10/08/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 2 goals

McCallum has been in red-hot form this season, and while slightly down on his usual numbers, made an impact on the wing. The Giants’ mids produced several clean centre breaks in the early stages, so McCallum peeled onto the defensive side of stoppages to prevent easy exits. That method was incredibly effective and allowed him to impact the contest with his clean hands and sharp turn of foot. McCallum’s overall ground coverage was also outstanding, drifting into both 50m arcs and providing an outnumber from contest to contest. His foot skills were slick on the run, as highlighted by his second goal in the second quarter. The ideal modern day wingman.

#16 Max Gulliver
Midfielder/Forward | 178cm | 04/11/2009

Stats: 14 disposals, 8 tackles, 2 clearances

While not overly prolific, Gulliver provided grunt and a hard edge to Tasmania’s midfield rotation. He was a threat with his burst speed in transition, connecting the lines with spurts of run and penetrative kicks. The star bottom-ager also made his presence felt defensively, nailing opponents in several tackles and showing plenty of grit in doing so. He’s a powerhouse.

#17 Benjamin Russell
Defender/Midfielder | 176cm | 19/03/2009

Stats: 14 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles

Another of Tasmania’s prominent bottom-agers, Russell played with plenty of intensity and speed. He wasn’t afraid to put his body on the line, competing bravely in the air and getting stuck in at the coalface. To balance that play was his dash and dare coming out of the contest, using his athletic traits to break forward dangerously. He started down back but was a welcome addition to the midfield.