First and foremost, I wanted to give a heartfelt thank-you to all members of this amazing football
club. Players, both men and women, committee members, supporters; you all played an integral
part in this club achieving what we did on that fateful day in July, creating a significant moment
in Giants History. There was no role, too big or too small that shouldn’t be celebrated.
But without any further adieu, should we re-create together the events that unfolded.
It was a very bright and early start down in Motspur Park, as the majority of the men's team
descended on the hallowed turf by 8am. Some players still waking up, some not being able to
sleep the night before. Either way, you could sense the excitement for the challenge but yet a
hint of nervousness in the air. After all, we were coming up against a side, who not only were
the minor premiers, but have been on a 13-0 win streak to this point.
As preparations got under way however, the nerves started to settle, it was footy time. We’d
given ourselves enough time to get on Game Clock, and after a few short sharp words from the
coach in the change rooms, it was time to get underway.
The roar of the supporters outside, lining up the race to see the players out, was just the start
that was required. In a haze of orange smoke, Angus lead the boys out through the banner and
the Boys were PUMPED.
That energy transcended straight into the game with Giants gaining the first centre clearance
through great roving work from Gus unfortunately only converting to a minor score on the board.
But all this within the first 30sec! The Giants then held play in their forward half for the next few
minutes, through amazing tackle pressure from our midfielders in CD, Kuzzy and Dave.
All this hard work though, yet still the Giants could not break through for a major. After
absorbing the Giants pressure early, the demons finally managed to get themselves a few
inside 50’s capitalising on them in the next 5min window to run out to a quick 13 point lead.
Which could have been more if it wasn’t for the defensive running efforts of James Charmichael,
one of our South African contingent, taking an intercept mark to stop a certain goal to the
Demons.
The Giants didn’t give up through, through strong tap-work from Rhys, they were able to move
the ball forward again and again, gaining another few shots on goal to finish the last. Albeit to no
avail as the Giants moved into quarter time 0.3 3.
To this point in the match, it was like splitting hairs between the two sides, the only difference
being, the Demons were able to make the most of their few forays forward, and the Giants were
not.
As the second quarter began, the Demons clearly came out with more intent. Not being happy
with their start to the game, they secured the first centre clearance and converted for the first
major of the 2nd to extend their lead. The Demons further compiled their pressure making the
most of any opportunity they had. It has to be mentioned, that Sammy felt the strongest
consequence of the curse of the odd shaped ball that day. Even Stephen Milne looked onto that
bounce thinking “Gee, that bounce makes mine look like nothing!” (there's one for the Saints
fans) On a more serious note, the Giants were now staring down the barrel of a 22 point deficit
and this game was quickly getting away from us. We needed some time in our forward half, and
we needed it now! Collectively, the team knew this, and sparked into gear! First a Clearance to
Kuzzy, then a Key stoppage from Kempy in the back half, a spoil from Pat, some beautiful tap
work from Rhys and a beautiful display of skill from Joe. It cant be said enough that all of this
was not possible without the organisation of our defensive General in Bud McGrath. All of these
efforts resulting in inside-50 after inside-50, yet the Giants still couldn’t capitalise. The Giants
dominated the whole last half of this quarter, but it was all for naught, until… Enter Ben Hislop.
Finally gets the Giants first major on the board, from a great team zone, and re-entry into the 50.
Could this be the start of something special?
The pressure from the giants continued to compile on on the Demons, with relentless drive
forward, particularly from rebound from our defensive unit, Saffa and Sam were both integral to
this. That pressure finally saw its rewards with Harry Brookes, one of our GB talents perfected a
great tackle 25m out from goal, to earn himself a free kick. And not only that, he kicked truly,
right on the eve of the half time siren, to cut the ledger to just 8 points going into the main break.
And right now, if you had of told me, that the Giants were still down. I wouldn't believe you.
The 3rd quarter begins, and I don’t know what the coach said at half time but Gee Whiz did the
Giants come out with a point to prove. The Demons couldn’t get an inch of space without a
Giants player right onto them. And when they thought they were out in space, BANG, Nick Graham sneaks up on them like a Librarian with a HUGE tackle that's rewarded only 20m out
from goal but out in the pocket, he didn’t get the chance to convert as Perty pounced on the
loose footy, and Coach Booms Converted truly. If AFL London took pressure ratings, I'm sure
the AFL would need a bigger scale to measure what the Giants have put out this quarter.
Culminating in a further 4 unanswered goals for the quarter. Perty being rewarded for his hard
efforts all game, Geoffo winging back the clock to dance around his opponents, and to cap it off,
some Pagans-Paddock running over the back, that results in Joe putting the cream on the top of
the quarter as he ran into an open goal-square and made a certainty of a lead into 3 quarter
time. It is genuinely hard to pick out any individual standouts that quarter, and the Giants played
such a great team brand of football, everyone on the deck had a moment that impacted.
Whether it was the safety of a Stu Tolley Spoil, the Pressure around the contest from Lachy
Stew or the bullocking efforts of Chippa taking his opportunity in the midfield with both hands.
Everyone was on the same page, and the Giants were HUMMING.
The First 5min of the last quarter were an absolute stalemate, both teams not wanting to give up
anything. Props to our VC Stu for keeping everyone calm and in-check during that time, as the
Demons were unable to penetrate the Giants Defence in that time. As per the quality of some of
their players the Demons were always going to come back at us in this quarter, 8min down, was
it too late? Could they still get there? They booted their first following a free kick with a second
to follow just 3min later. The Supporters could barely watch on, as that lead was cut back to 6
points. Clearance to CHIPPA, Huge 1 on 1 win by our VC Mark ‘Scooby’ Tuazon, kicks forward
to a contest, there's a ground ball bobbling around. Well, bobbling for everyone except one man:
Nathan Brown. As cool as you like, that footy wasn’t slipping through his mitts at a time in need.
Converts a major out of nothing, to increase the buffer back above 2 kicks. And not 2min later,
after some more relentless midfield work, who should end up with the footy. Coach Booms with
a last set shot, 2min to go, to really seal this thing. Kicks Truly, Game Over, Giants Premiers
2024. History. Made.
Right on the final siren, who should the footy find its way to. None other than Pitbull Lorrigan.
Primed and ready to take us into a full chorus of… Ba ba ba baaa baba
Please let it be known: Sam did not lose another contest or be beaten by a bounce for the
remainder of the game.
Demons: 6.1 37
Giants: 8.8 56
Goals: Boomer x2, Geoff, Joe, Benny, Perty, Browny, Brooksie
Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RSQpu64w2I&t=1s
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