GIANTS still on track despite injury

by James Raptis

Davis says there are signs the team has improved vastly compared to their debut season and already a number of goals have already been achieved.

“I think we’ve won five quarters this year already and last year we only won 13 so if you look at that as a measure we’re far and away better than we were,” said Davis.

“We’re averaging 86 points a game which is about 20 more than we were this time last year and all our offensive sides of the game are vastly improved.

“Your defence is so important and that is one area we will continually work on and the better we get on that the more games we’ll stay in and hopefully win.”

The man to replace the captain Phil Davis is fellow Canberra born player Josh Bruce.

The Canberra product will return to the Giants line-up for Saturday’s match with the Essendon Bombers at Etihad Stadium – his first game since round 18 last year.

Bruce made history when he was the first GIANTS player to kick a goal in Canberra in their inaugural season last year. But this was only one of three games he played in 2012.

Bruce believes the hard work he has been putting in off the field is the reason why he has been able to get a call up against Essendon.

Bruce told the Canberra Times he has been doing a lot of individual work with their assistant coach to refine all areas of his game.

”I’ve been doing a lot of work on my kicking with Luke Power about my composure and decision making,” Bruce said.

”I think I’ve come a long way from last year and hopefully it holds up on the weekend.”

The back injury to Davis has opened the door for Bruce to stake a claim for the back line after he was used as a pinch-hitter both up forward and down back last year.

Davis is expected to miss six weeks, giving Bruce the opportunity to make the most of his second chance as he hopes to secure a new contract for next season.

”I’m just doing all the things I need to do to get games,” Bruce told canberratimes.com.au.

”If you’re playing well in the ones or the twos, it’s good currency to get a new contract, or if it doesn’t work out, my options are open.

”But obviously I’d love to stay with the Giants.”