AFL Central West: Bathurst Giants hold Orange Tigers to zero goals in comprehensive victory at Cowra

Giants have told the rest of the competition that they're more than ready for finals time by wiping the Tigers off the park in a 21-13-139 to 0-4-4 result at Cowra's Mulyan Oval.

It's the first time in the Giants' history that they've managed to hold the Tigers to zero goals in a match.

A ruthless nine-goal opening quarter almost put the game the bed and the Giants didn't relent across the remaining three terms of the game.

The result takes the Giants within one win of securing the minor premiership, which would be their first time finishing atop the senior men's ladder.

Giants vice-captain Shaun Noyen said the brilliant start for the team bodes well for finals time.

"It was a great win for us. It was still somewhat of a competitive match, which the scoreboard won't show, but we just capitalised on actually kicking home our opportunities for goals," he said.

"We ended up kicking nine goals and one behind in the first quarter. We set off a strong platform at the start and we were able to carry that the whole way through."

Noyen believes it was a combination of a strong squad and great execution which led to the Bathurst club's one-sided result.

"It was a bit of both. A couple of Orange's players weren't there on the day but our defence did a great job, holding them to just a behind in the whole first half and then three in the second half," he said.

"We had things worked out so well and were always hitting our targets."

Giants full forward Sam Sloan was on track for a potentially record-breaking day in front of goals as he kicked five majors before the quarter-time siren.

However, he left the field with an injury, which Noyen hopes his teammate will be able to recover from before finals.

"We lost Sam Sloan in the first quarter and that made an impact on the scoreboard because we started to kick more behinds," he said.

"He's done something to his calf but hopefully he'll be alright before finals."

The other players doing the damage in front of goals for the Giants included Paul Jenkins (four), Leigh Monaghan and Mitch Taylor (both three).

However, Noyen said it was in their own half of the field where the Giants were making the biggest strides on Saturday.

"The whole defensive backline was amazing. Nic Broes was great and Jacob Molkentin was as well. They dominated," he said.

"It's great to have just about secured that minor premiership. It's not as big as winning the flag for the season, which is our main goal, but this takes us one step closer to it."

Nic Broes was named the Giants' player's player while Max Currie was the winner of the coach's award.

It's the biggest margin of victory that the Giants have recorded in the 2021 senior men's season.

Giants would have to drop their remaining games against Dubbo Demons and Bathurst Bushrangers to give up first spot.

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