Sport
8 July, 2025
Giants fight hard, but Harcourt too good at Hedges Oval
Six unanswered goals in the second quarter were enough for Harcourt to create a gap against a determined Maryborough Giants, eventually winning by 59 points.
Despite being the underdogs, the Giants entered this game with a bit of confidence after back-to-back wins against Lexton and Campbells Creek.
They also have a good record against the Lions, nearly upsetting Harcourt in their first meeting last year and giving a good account of themselves in the return fixture, losing by 57 points.
That confidence seemed justified in the first quarter, as the Giants went toe-to-toe with the Lions in the opening stages.
Both teams kicked three goals in the first term, but Maryborough had a slight advantage, leading by two points at quarter time.
Determined to create some breathing room before the second half, Harcourt kicked into an extra gear to start the second quarter.
The trio of Jack Threlfall, Cameron Anderson and Joshua Hogg started to control the match in the midfield, providing chances for themselves and Jed Rodda to hit the scoreboard.
After a frankly dominant second quarter where they only allowed a single point, the Lions ballooned the margin to 39 points by half time.
The visitors remained in control to start the second half, extending their advantage with some early goals.
However, the Giants were still full of fight and began to close the gap late in the third quarter.
Captain Cody Wright, Ronnie Feeney and Brandon Carter in particular were fantastic with their on-ball pressure and tackling, setting a great example.
With the margin at 54 points to start the final quarter, the efforts of Wright, Feeney and Carter began to rub off on the rest of the Giants, as the game returned to the competitive affair we saw in the first quarter.
With both teams kicking four goals in the final quarter, Harcourt’s victory was never threatened in the last term, completing a third straight victory.
Threlfall continued to make his case for Harcourt star recruit this season, once again named among the best players along with Anderson, Braydon Vaz, Joshua Hogg, Taylar McKnight and Riely Thiesz.
Rodda finished with a game-high four goals.
The Giants named Sam Spink, Wright, Ryan Howell, Jacob Rollason and Jack Broad as their best players, with Rollason kicking three goals and Wright booting two.