LIFE with injured ruckman Shane Mumford on the sidelines hasn't been easy for Greater Western Sydney, but the Giants were encouraged by their young big men in Saturday's loss to Richmond.
The Giants recalled former basketballer Tom Downie to their senior team after nearly two years since his first (and most recent) game of AFL to take on Ivan Maric and the Tigers.
Five talking points: Richmond v Greater Western Sydney
He was assisted by Rory Lobb (in his third AFL game), and the pair competed strongly, and looked set to lead a surprise GWS win when the Giants held a 15-point lead at the final change.
But Richmond stormed home to kick five final-quarter goals to claim the nine-point victory on Saturday at the MCG, with coach Leon Cameron acknowledging the Tigers' dominance (they recorded 54 inside-50 entries to the Giants' 37).
Cameron was more enthused about his emerging ruck stocks, saying the game had given the Giants a glimpse into how to overcome Mumford's absence for the rest of the year as he deals with an ankle injury.
WATCH: Leon Cameron's full post-match media conference
"To have those two come in against Maric is a great experience. But there's a long way to go, there's a long way to go to answer that question: ‘Were they competitive and helped our centre-bounce [team]?' Yes,” Cameron said.
"Around the ground they delivered on exactly what we were after. It was pleasing, because Tom's really been playing some good footy in the NEAFL. Unfortunately all big men just take four or five years.
"Tom's into his fourth year, and Rory's only into his second year. There's no doubt he's going to get better and better, but there's a huge challenge. Every week you're going to come up against one or two big ruckmen from the opposition."
In an at times spiteful clash, GWS midfielder Toby Greene appeared to spit in the direction of Richmond midfielder Anthony Miles in the second term.
But Cameron said he was be very surprised if it was done with malice, particularly given Miles and Greene were former teammates at GWS before Miles joined the Tigers.
WATCH: Greene spits in Miles' direction
"It's the first time I've heard in the last couple of minutes about that. I haven't seen it so I'll have a good look at it tonight. I'd be very disappointed if it did happen in a threatening way [or] a way it shouldn’t happen," Cameron said.
"But I'm really confident that Toby wouldn't go down that track – really, really confident. He's a really good kid and he’s come a long way. We're rapt to have him at our footy club.
"Someone said it was with [Anthony] Miles at Richmond, I mean they're very close friends so I'd be disappointed if it did happen. I reckon Toby Greene's a terrific lad for our footy club and I'd be backing Toby Greene in any day of the week."
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick also played down the incident.
The Giants have been hit with injuries to their backline but Cameron was pleased with the effort of his young defensive group, and the form of recruit Ryan Griffen, who played in defence and gathered 24 disposals.
Many had written off the Giants' chances of securing a maiden finals berth due to their injury toll, but Cameron said there were no limits on his group if they remained consistent.
"Anything's possible for a young group, and anything's possible still in the next nine weeks. Our guys are very, very keen to play some very good footy," he said.
"I don't hold that back, but we also understand we have a very good side in St Kilda next week that if you don't bring four quarters of footy, then you'll get beaten."
