NAB League: Season finishes on a GIANT high

Written by Madison La Pira

The final week of the NAB League saw the GIANTS Academy return home with smiles, while the Sydney Swans Academy were denied an undefeated season.

It seems the Sydney teams are no friend of the Murray Bushrangers. The GIANTS followed in the Swans’ footsteps on Saturday, toppling the Victoria side by 11 points.

The success in Albury was the second win of the season for the GIANTS after a series of unfortunate defeats. 

Tom Green kicked off the GIANTS’ winning morning, scoring a goal in the opening minutes of the match. Teammate Harry Grant followed just minutes later slotting his first of three, giving the GIANTS the edge – an edge they would maintain the entire match. 

The teams were neck-and-neck throughout the entire meeting, with the difference never stretching further than two goals. Fortunately, the GIANTS held strong, squashing any chances of a comeback from Bushrangers and finishing victorious.

Grant’s 23 possessions saw him earn best on ground for the second match in a row after last week’s similarly impressive performance against Gippsland.

Green also managed to notch up a formidable 37 disposals, beating last week’s season record of 31 disposals. After averaging 31 disposals across the season, the GIANTS named Green as their Most Valuable Player of the NAB League season.

Though, he wasn’t the only Green to star this match with Tom’s brother, Joshua scoring for the first time in the NAB League, and not just once, but twice. 

Liam Delahunty also finished his NAB League campaign as joint top-goalscorer in the league. 

The final match of the season did not end so well for the Swans with their dream run finishing with a loss against the Geelong Falcons. 

The Falcons were simply the stronger team during the clash with the Swans struggling to find their rhythm, trailing from the start. 

Ky McGrath’s second goal in the final term kept the hope alive for the Swans, but unfortunately for the away team, Geelong had momentum and they ran with it. 

Bottom-ager, Braeden Campbell was named Best on Ground in his return from the Under-17 Australian team, racking up one goal, 24 disposals, 8 tackles and 9 inside-50s for the Swans, while Luke Parks and Max Geddes stood tall in defence. 

Campbell was named Best on Ground by the Sydney Swans.

Match Results 

GIANTS ACADEMY VS. MURRAY BUSHRANGERS

GIANTS – 12.16.88 

BUSHRANGERS– 11.10.76 

GIANTS BEST – H. Grant, E. Perryman, L. Delahunty, J. Green, L. Conlan 

GIANTS GOALS – H. Grant (3), J. Green (2), L. Conlan (2), M. Hamblin (2), J. Lucas, L. Delahunty, T. Green 

 

SYDNEY SWANS ACADEMY VS. GEELONG FALCONS

SWANS – 7.11.53  

FALCONS – 12.12.84 

SWANS BEST – A. Watling, E. Gulden, R. van Huisstede, M. Geddes, L. Parks, B. Campbell 

SWANS GOALS – K. McGrath (2), E. Gulden, L. Swaney, B. Campbell, H. Ellem, S. Gaden 

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