Lights out for GIANTS at Manuka

Manuka Oval held its first ever game under lights as the GIANTS played host to the Essendon Bombers.

The historic match kicked off the weekend of celebrations for Canberra’s centenary.

GIANTS coach Kevin Sheedy and Essendon coach James Hird visited the Canberra War Memorial prior to the game, where they were greeted by Victorian Cross medallist Ben Roberts-Smith.

Players attended the ACT Sports Fan Day on Saturday morning, in the company of Olympic Flag Bearer Lauren Jackson and Raiders Five-Eighth Josh McCrone.

The GIANTS had shown enormous improvement in their pre-season fixtures while the visitors had their reputation marred by a drug scandal investigation.

With both sides out of the NAB cup title race, coaches were experimenting with the regular season less than two weeks away.

Kevin Sheedy rested ten of his top 22 players with names like Patton, Cameron and Whitfield on the sideline.

Essendon coach James Hird fielded an almost full-strength side for one final hit out before the AFL premiership commenced.

The GIANTS fell victim to an aerial assault courtesy of a supergoal by former St. Kilda veteran Brendan Goddard.

The nine-point major was one of six goals the Bombers landed to lead by 37 points at the first break.

Essendon booted another four goals in the second term to lead by 50 points at half-time.

A lacklustre third quarter from both sides saw the Bombers extend their advantage by an extra 12 points.

The final quarter saw the GIANTS and Bombers miss their targets, leaving the final score 0.4.4 (28) to 1.16.14 (119)