Clayton Oliver shined in his first unofficial game for the Giants in a comfortable 35-point win over Collingwood in Friday’s match simulation.
But GWS’ horror injury run worsened with a hamstring setback to Brent Daniels to leave Adam Kingsley’s side further undermanned.
Kieren Briggs kicked all his four goals in the first half and fellow rucks Nick Madden (three) and Jake Riccardi (two) were also lively in the forward half.
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It saw the Giants cruise to victory in Bundoora, 17.8 (110) to 11.9 (75), in a promising first hitout as the club battles a horror injury toll including Tom Tom Green, Finn Callaghan, Sam Taylor, Toby Bedford and Josh Kelly.
Mature-aged draftee Angus Anderson had some bright moments for Collingwood, while Jamie Elliott was among the Magpies’ best and Dan McStay and Beau McCreery got through the game unscathed after battling injury over the pre-season.
THE 3-2-1 (what we learned) …
3. DOMINANT DAY FOR RUCKS IN PIES ‘CONCERN’
It was some sort of day to be a Giants ruckman.
Kieren Briggs, splitting his time between ruck and forward, exploded out of the gates with all four of his goals in the first quarter and a bit.
Nick Madden (three goals) and Jake Riccardi (two) also hit the scoreboard as the trio combined for over half of the Giants’ goals on the day
They provided a big boost for a Giants forward line that was missing Jesse Hogan, Aaron Cadman and Toby Greene.
And it could be another string in the bow of Briggs, who finished the game with ice on his calf but was being managed, ahead of the season ahead.
The Giants’ tall timbre in attack seriously stretched an undermanned Collingwood defence missing Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe through injury.
“I just wonder with the injuries to Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe, there’s been a lot of contested marks taken by the Giants, how big those losses will be early in the season,” premiership Magpie Tom Mitchell said on Kayo Sports commentary.
“That is a concern if you’re getting beaten in the air consistently,” premiership Magpie Tom Mitchell said on Kayo Sports.
2. BUT ANOTHER STAR GIANT STRUCK DOWN
The last thing GWS needed was another injury blow.
But Brent Daniels has been added to the Giants’ list of casualties after the gun small forward was struck down in the first quarter with a hamstring issue.
Daniels didn’t return to the game it yet another cruel setback for a GWS team that has been dropping like flies just two weeks out from the season proper.
Cody Angove’s day also finished prematurely due to his own hamstring issue, while Callum Brown suffered an ankle sprain but it doesn’t appear serious.
The Giants could suddenly be without Daniels in addition to Finn Callaghan, Sam Taylor, Toby Bedford, Leek Aler, Josh Kelly Tom Green in their Opening Round clash against Hawthorn in a brutal toll.
1. OLIVER IMPESSES IN FIRST APPEARANCE IN ORANGE
Clayton Oliver’s importance to the Giants has never been greater with Tom Green out for the season and Finn Callaghan also sidelined.
If Friday’s game is anything to go by, Oliver is going to be a worthwhile addition to GWS’ engine room.
The ex-Demon impressed through the midfield alongside Harry Rowston and Xavier O’Halloran in Oliver’s first unofficial appearance in orange with some effective touches in tight.
Oliver was clean around the stoppage and even showed some burst around the ground.
The inside midfielder is the ideal like-for-like replacement for Green and he’ll take plenty of confidence into next week’s more official pre-season game and the season proper ahead.
Premiership Magpie and Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell was “very” impressed with Oliver’s work.
“His inside game, his outside game, he’s found the balance really well and used the well the ball well,” Mitchell said on Kayo Sports commentary.
Recap Foxfooty.com.au’s coverage of the match simulation in the live blog below!
COLLINGWOOD SQUAD
2. Jordan De Goey, 4. Brayden Maynard, 5. Jamie Elliott, 9. Dan Houston, 10. Scott Pendlebury, 11. Dan McStay, 13. Harry DeMattia, 15. Wil Parker, 16. Ed Allan, 17. Billy Frampton, 18. Tyan Prindable, 20. Illiro Smit, 21. Oscar Steene, 22. Steele Sidebottom, 24. Jacob Ryan, 25. Jack Crisp, 27. Joel Cochran, 28. Tim Membrey 29. Charlie West, 31. Beau McCreery, 33. Lachie Sullivan, 34. Jack Buller, 36. Harvey Harrison, 39. Will Hayes 41. Angus Anderson, 45. Roan Steele
Missing: Darcy Cameron (Origin), Nick Daicos (Origin), Pat Lipinski, Josh Daicos, Lachie Schultz, Harry Perryman, Tew Jiath, Bobby Hill, Reef McInnes, Darcy Moore, Sam Swadling, Zac McCarthy, Jeremy Howe, Noah Howes, Jai Saxena, Ned Long
GWS SQUAD
1. Harvey Thomas, 6. Lachie Whitfield, 9. Ryan Angwin, 10. Clayton Oliver, 11. Phoenix Gothard, 13. Ollie Hannaford, 16. Brent Daniels, 18. Conor Stone, 19. Harry Oliver, 20. Jake Stringer, 24. Harry Rowston, 25. Jayden Laverde, 26. Jake Riccardi, 27. Harry Himmelberg, 28. Jack Ough, 29. Cody Angove, 30. James Leake, 32. Kieren Briggs, 33. Xavier O’Halloran, 35. Max Gruzewski, 37. Joe Fonti, 38. Josaia Delana, 39. Connor Idun, 41. Nick Madden, 44. Jack Buckley, 46. Callum Brown
Missing: Stephen Coniglio*, Toby Greene*, Lachie Ash*, Jesse Hogan*, Darcy Jones, Aaron Cadman, Tom Green, Toby Bedford, Sam Taylor, Finn Callaghan, Leek Aleer, Josh Kelly, Toby McMullin, Oskar Taylor, Logan Smith, Nathan Wardius, Riley Hamilton, Finnegan Davis
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