EXPERIENCED AFL footballer Rhys Palmer put his hand up for a recall to the Giants senior team with a best-on-ground performance at Robertson Oval on Saturday.
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Palmer kicked four goals and had a heap of the footy as the Giants’ reserves enjoyed a 53-point victory over Canberra Demons in the North Eastern Australian Football League (NEAFL) clash in Wagga.
Only nine points separated the two teams at half-time before the Giants upped the ante after the break to run out comfortable winners, 20.12 (132) to 12.7 (79).
While Palmer was a standout, Riverina’s Greater Western Sydney listed players were not far behind as Matt Flynn put in a commanding performance in the ruck and Harry Himmelberg starred in defence.
Jake Barrett also won plenty of the ball through the midfield but came off a late with a hip injury.
Flynn said he enjoyed more time in the ruck in the absence of Tom Downie.
“I didn’t go too bad,” Flynn said.
“I had been struggling a little bit the last couple of weeks and got lucky this week with Tom Downie going into the first grade team to replace Shane Mumford.
“That allowed me more time in the middle, which was good.”
Flynn said the Giants were happy with their performance.
“We played pretty well, it took us to half-time to kick into gear and get on top,” he said.
“In the second half we came out and won the clearance battle, which made a big difference to winning the game.”
There were a number of Riverina teenagers topping up the Giants team with Brendan Myers, Luke Redfern and Connor Byrne all performing strongly.
Flynn said it was great to return to the Riverina and particularly to see the representative junior football between Wagga and South West Leagues.
“It was awesome actually, just to see a few mates and family come over. It was good to see everyone and play close to home,” he said.
“Watching the 13s and 14s South West rep teams play too was pretty funny to think that it was only six years ago that I was running around in the same team out there.”
Full-time
GIANTS (132)
5.4 9.6 15.9 20.12
CANBERRA DEMONS (79)
4.0 8.3 12.4 12.7
Goals: (Giants) R Palmer 4, J Stewart 3, L Gray 2, L Redfern 2, A Tomlinson 2, J Steele 2, M Flynn, J Finlayson, M Walker, D Simpson, P McKenna; (Canberra Demons) R Stevens 2, S Martyn 2, S Fisher 2, D O’Connell, N Pleming, C Bernasconi, K Mahon, J Harper, A Bruce.
Best: (Giants) R Palmer, J Steele, M Flynn, H Himmelberg, P McKenna, A Tomlinson; (Canberra Demons) L Meline, S Martyn, N Collins, S Askew, L Harper, R Stevens.
