GIANTS record first victory
GWS GIANTS recruit Curtly Hampton has cemented his name in the club’s history books by kicking the first goal for the western Sydney based team in their inaugural match against AFL Sydney in Campbelltown on Saturday.
In front of a large crowd and in blistering heat, the GIANTS took a significant step forward in their development stage, claiming a nine-point victory against a representative AFL Sydney side at Monarch Oval, winning 8.7.55 to 7.4.46.
Ice vests and mist fans were used as the match was split into eight 7-minute terms to combat the heat.
Hampton, 17, from Alice Springs, became the club’s first goal scorer after kicking accurately from 40-metres out after five minutes of play.
GIANTS coach Kevin Sheedy said the match provided the perfect warm-up for their NAB Cup debut against the Sydney Swans and Gold Coast Suns at Blacktown Olympic Park on February 19.
“Today was a great opportunity for us to look at where we think our players can play. They may have been able to play in certain positions in the under-18s but we wanted to have a real mix today,” Sheedy said.
“We really wanted to get a good look at the talent base that our recruiters have selected.
“It was good to get them out there. You have to start somewhere. It’s the first step, it’s the right step for us to play this game, and we’re going down to Canberra next week, which will be another important step.
“You learn so much from these games, in particular for young players in their first few games together.
“I thought both teams were really terrific. We split the quarters into half a quarter with two- minute breaks, keeping them refreshed. Our medical staff and fitness staff have done the right thing there, to give these players every opportunity.”
Monarch Oval was glittered with orange and grey as the GIANTS’ supporters travelled in numbers to get a glimpse of the future stars of the AFL.
Sheedy said he is looking forward to returning to the spectacular playing facilities in Campbelltown.
“I thought there was a terrific crowd around here today. I was really pleased with the turnout,” Sheedy said.
“A lot of families have come and a lot of people from out here in Campbelltown have come. If you had this game in six weeks time you would probably have four or five thousand people. So we may just get down here again soon.”
East Coast Eagles’ Jamie Vlatko kicked the first goal for AFL Sydney. The GIANTS fell behind for the remainder of the first quarter and looked like they would go into the quarter-time break well behind until Anthony Miles reignited the club just before the quarter-time siren.
Vlatko again put AFL Sydney ahead kicking the first goal of the second quarter before the GIANTS’ Jeremy Cameron kicked truly to bring the scores level close to half-time.
Lively GIANTS forward Isiah Stevens emerged as the only goal-kicker from the third quarter, after Rohan Lilly took a spectacular mark for AFL Sydney but kicked a point.
In the fourth quarter it emerged that the GIANTS were dealing with the conditions the best and Isiah Smith’s third goal for the game was all the club needed to secure their first victory as the GIANTS.
GWS GIANTS 8.7.55 defeated AFL Sydney 7.4.46 at Monarch Oval, Campbelltown