Star Giants forward no certainty to return
Oliver Caffrey |
Reigning Coleman medallist Jesse Hogan is no certainty to return for GWS’s blockbuster clash with Gold Coast after missing the Giants’ clinical 54-point win against North Melbourne.
As AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon watched on at Canberra’s Manuka Oval, the Giants responded from a startling 88-point thumping by the Western Bulldogs with a clinical display on Sunday.
Leading by 58 points midway through the third quarter, GWS took the foot off the pedal slightly in the 20.13 (133) to 12.7 (79) win.
Callum Brown led the Giants’ goal-kicking with an equal career-high five, while former Essendon and Western Bulldogs star Jake Stringer was lively with three before he was tactically subbed out in the third term.
Young forward Aaron Cadman kicked four goals, moving to 42 for the season.
Cadman should have finished with at least five, but missed one last quarter chance when he inexplicably played on in the goal square and was caught holding the ball.
But the Giants’ forward line would be even more dangerous with a return from Hogan, who has been managing a foot injury.
“That’ll be the plan,” Giants coach Adam Kingsley said of the star forward returning to play the Suns.
“He’ll need to get through a couple of training sessions before that happens.
“He’s got a bit of work, a few boxes to tick before then.”
Midfielders Tom Green (25 disposals) and Finn Callaghan (31) were exceptional, ensuring North’s talented on-ball brigade didn’t get the Kangaroos into the contest.
GWS moved to 14-7 ahead of games against Gold Coast and St Kilda to complete their home-and-away campaign.
Due to their percentage, the Giants may need to win both their remaining matches to be guaranteed of playing finals.
Set to finish in the bottom three, North were delighted with the debuts of Cooper Trembath and Geordie Payne.
Trembath made the most of his opportunities up forward, kicking an equal team-high three goals.
Trembath’s family became emotional in the stands after the 19-year-old – a mid-season rookie draft selection this year – booted his first goal.
Former Sydney star Luke Parker continued his impressive first season with the Kangaroos, gathering 28 possessions and a team-high nine clearances.
North will have a chance to leapfrog Richmond into 16th on the ladder when they face the Tigers in Hobart next Sunday.
“Every side makes them,” North coach Alastair Clarkson said of the Kangaroos’ frequent mistakes.
“Just when you’re a little bit more inexperienced, you might make a few more so that’ll come with more exposure to the level.
“We’ve got a lot of guys playing through the middle of the ground, right across the ground really, that are still learning the game, and with that comes a little bit of inconsistency.”
AAP
