THE GREATER Western Sydney (GWS) Giants Academy produced a seven-goal final quarter to kick away to their fourth-straight victory at Shepley Oval on Saturday afternoon. After an inaccurate third term which yielded nine behinds, the visitors straightened up to salute 13.20 (98) to 10.10 (70).

Kicking to the wind-advantaged end in term four, GWS was inspired by monumental late efforts from over-agers Brody Kane and Jim Houston at either end, along with star prospect Ethan Matthews through the middle. We took note of the top prospects and performers from both sides.

DANDENONG STINGRAYS 3.4 | 6.6 | 9.9 | 10.10 (70)
GWS GIANTS ACADEMY 2.3 | 6.7 | 6.16 | 13.20 (98)

GOALS:
Dandenong Stingrays: B. Carroll 2, T. DeMattia, B. Gibson, Z. Hamer, Z. Keene, J. Phillips, C. Styles, K. Sullivan, M. Toner
Giants Academy: B. Kane 4, J. Corbett 2, E. Matthews 2, C. French, A. Maher, R. Masters, L. Roberts, Ba. Smith

BEST:
Dandenong Stingrays: N. Wisken, K. Sullivan, W. Antrobus, B. Carroll, J. Downward, T. DeMattia
Giants Academy: J. Houston, E. Matthews, H. Donohue, J. Corbett, C. French, B. Kane

DANDENONG STINGRAYS:

#7 Andrio Sousa
Forward/Midfielder | 182cm | 11/08/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 6 inside 50s

Sousa was energetic as usual, utilising his pace and tenacity to impact going both ways. He worked high up the ground to provide an option down the line, gaining separation from his opponent in the process. In tighter confines, Sousa showcased his explosive step and was a willing tackler, closing in with great speed. The top-ager eventually earned a move into midfield and even rolled off a wing, looking a touch rushed at times but lively nonetheless.

#8 Wil Antrobus
Defender | 182cm | 18/04/2008

Stats: 36 disposals, 4 tackles, 17 rebound 50s

With the Giants kicking 20 behinds, Antrobus had plenty of opportunity to showcase his foot skills from the kick-ins. He racked up 36 disposals but had 20 possessions, highlighting his influence in that space. The left-footer hit some phenomenal long passes out of defence, cutting through the wind or utilising it to gain distance. He seemed to have his hands on everything that exited Dandenong’s d50, providing overlap run and mopping up with composure. That side of his game was pleasing, balancing out the sheer weight of his kick-in duties.

#11 Jackson Phillips
Midfielder | 182cm | 30/01/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 6 marks, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal

Returning to the side this week, Phillips looked dangerous as usual when able to use his speed over the back. He was quick to turn and go, accelerating through the corridor with vigour and looking to hit flat kicks inside 50. While his end product was hit and miss at times, he steadied wonderfully off just a couple of steps to slam home a long-range goal in term three. Phillips is the type of player whose wave running can cut up the opposition going forward, and he sought to do so with each burst of speed. His ability to kick off both feet makes for dynamic stoppage exits, too.

#22 Clancy Stuart
Midfielder/Forward | 186cm | 17/03/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 tackles, 6 inside 50s

While seemingly frustrated by the umpire’s whistle and a lack of opportunity up forward in the second half, Stuart was among the best players afield before the main break. The big bodied ball winner was strong and clean at stoppages, absorbing pressure before dishing the ball out with poise. His delivery heading inside 50 was also a highlight, often lowering his eyes on the run to hit flat passes to leading targets.

#36 Ben Carroll
Midfielder/Forward | 181cm | 28/08/2008

Stats: 27 disposals, 5 marks, 4 clearances, 2 goals

Dandenong’s top clearance winner for the day, Carroll was clean and quick on the inside. He dished the ball out after roving off taps and showed an ability to shrug off would-be tacklers. The top-ager’s burst speed was complimented by a couple of spring-heeled overhead marks, rising bravely to reel in the ball under pressure. He steadied nicely on the run to slot two goals, including one where he intercepted a GWS handball before firing through the big sticks.

#43 Bruce Gibson
Forward/Midfielder | 176cm | 14/07/2008

Stats: 25 disposals, 7 marks, 4 tackles, 1 goal

Gibson provided Dandenong with plenty of connection between the arcs, racking up a high of 22 uncontested possessions. Whether receiving a handball or working into space to mark, he was constantly an easy outlet for teammates to hit under pressure. As a forward, Gibson’s ability to get off the leash and present high up the ground was terrific. He provided run and combination play all around the ground, while slotting a set shot goal on the angle in term two.

GIANTS ACADEMY:

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

Stats: 31 disposals, 8 clearances, 9 inside 50s, 1 goal

French provided plenty of forward momentum for the Giants, ending the day as the number one clearance winner afield. The bottom-ager was incredibly clean at stoppages, roving the ball on the move and driving long kicks forward. While that meant blazing away at times, he showed great finesse with a classy checkside finish for the game-sealing goal. French’s turn of speed and work rate around the ground meant he constantly posed a threat to the Stingrays.

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

Stats: 16 disposals, 3 clearances, 4 inside 50s

As was a theme with the Giants’ best players, Ryan was consistently able to put speed on the ball heading forward. He started out in midfield and delivered a few crisp passes heading inside 50, no less doing so at full tilt. The bottom-ager then shifted forward and was typically evasive, although couldn’t quite make good on his set shot opportunities, finishing with three behinds.

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

Stats: 36 disposals, 8 tackles, 14 inside 50s, 2 goals

Matthews lifted in a big way when the game was on the line, racking up 16 disposals in the final term. Among that haul was a massive set shot goal from long-range, before helping ice the game by dropping back to maintain possession. Matthews was dangerous when gaining possession on the run and consistently breached the forward 50 arc, either sending the ball deep or drilling passes to leading targets. His class shone through, along with a willingness to compete and tackle hard.

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

Stats: 20 disposals, 5 marks, 4 inside 50s, 4 goals

Playing his final game for the Giants Academy, Kane ended on a high with four quality goals – including three in the final term. He was another who lifted when the game was up for grabs, converting two snaps on the left foot with clever crumbs. The over-ager was smart to burn the clock as GWS home kicked with the wind, but otherwise looked to use his speed and evasiveness to send the ball long inside 50. Kane also spent time in midfield but had his biggest impact in the front half.

#27 Jed Corbett
Key Forward | 194cm | 10/11/2009

Stats: 10 disposals, 6 marks, 2 goals

An imposing unit inside 50, Corbett came to life with two goals in the second term, finishing the match with 2.4. He matched Houston’s three contested marks, including a massive pack grab in the third quarter. The bottom-ager provided great physical presence and when not impacting in the air, attacked the loose ball with aggression. Had he converted better, he could have had a big bag of goals.

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

Stats: 19 disposals, 9 marks, 4 rebound 50s

Another Giant who stood tall late in the piece, Houston was an absolute monster in the air. He didn’t look close to dropping an overhead mark throughout the day, clunking several important intercepts and even providing a long target from the kick-ins. Houston’s strong hands helped relieve pressure as GWS defender the scoring end, while he dished the ball off with similar confidence and no fuss.