Where and When: 

Sunday, March 19 at 1:10pm, GIANTS Stadium

Tickets:

GIANTS fans who wish to get tickets to Sunday's match can purchase directly through Ticketmaster, click here to secure your seats now. 

Don’t forget kids go free in '23*! That's right, kids aged 15 and under go free with a ticket to every GIANTS home game in 2023, when accompanied by a paying adult. Plus, we've frozen ticket prices for the third consecutive year, so adult tickets start at just $25!

*Visit gwsgiants.info/tcs for full terms and conditions.

What it Means for the GIANTS: 

It’s been 212 days since the GIANTS walked off Manuka Oval with their 2022 season over. For the GIANTS, the side that finished the season in 16^th position 212 days ago is vastly different to the side that will look to go all the way in 2023. Following the departure of long-time senior coach Leon Cameron mid-way through last year, there is so much to the GIANTS under Adam Kingsley that feels fresh and new. Under Kingsley the GIANTS want to be a modern, thrill-seeking team offensively and a dynamic, flexible outfit defensively. In essence, the GIANTS want to go back to their roots as they strive to return to being the competitive, combative and feared side that gripped the competition on their way to the 2019 Grand Final.  

Last Time We Met: 

Toby Greene terrorised the Crows with a four-goal haul to inspire the GIANTS to an upset 59-point win in round seven last year. Greene also had a hand in two other goals in the GIANTS' boilover 17.11 (113) to 8.6 (54) victory at Adelaide Oval. Greene starred with an attacking support cast featuring Stephen Coniglio, Jesse Hogan and Lachie Whitfield, with Josh Kelly (41 disposals), Tom Green (24 touches), and Isaac Cumming (33 possessions) all dominating through the midfield.

In the Mix: 

Small forward Brent Daniels is in the hunt to make a long-awaited return to the game in the opening round, more than 18 months after his last appearance for the GIANTS. The 23-year-old missed all of 2022 and hasn't played a game since round 21, 2021, due to repeated hamstring issues that led to him and young gun Conor Stone heading to visit renowned soft tissue specialists at the University of Wisconsin last September. Defender Jack Buckley could also make his long-awaited return having not featured for the GIANTS since suffering an ACL injury in 2021. Number one draft pick Aaron Cadman could make his AFL debut alongside fellow draftee Harry Rowston with untried halfback Josh Fahey also in the mix to debut after missing the 2022 season with a shoulder injury. The GIANTS will start the new campaign without off-season acquisition Toby Bedford after the former Demon damaged his hamstring tendon last month. Bedford had been a standout on the track up until that point and looked a certain starter in round one but is now set to miss at least the first month of the season.

Question of the Week: 

It’s the question that all GIANTS fans have been asking - where will Harry Himmelberg be playing this season? Himmelberg spent the bulk of his first seven seasons with the GIANTS being used primarily as a key forward under Leon Cameron who, up until last May when he departed the club, was the only coach the 26-year-old had worked under. The promotion of Mark McVeigh as the club's interim coach ahead of the side's round 10 clash with West Coast therefore brought about an unusual situation for Himmelberg. Himmelberg, despite kicking 18 goals from his first 10 games last season – including a goal in each match – was asked by McVeigh to head into the backline. Himmelberg flourished under McVeigh down back, averaging 23.7 disposals and 7.9 marks in 13 matches as a defender. But the off-season arrival of Adam Kingsley therefore came with a question mark around Himmelberg's long-term position at the GIANTS. Himmelberg himself feels like he is best utilised as a forward. However, he understands that his defensive output was helped by having played in attack for the majority of his career. Now, he hopes he can become a better goalkicker thanks to his experiences last year.

Player to Watch: 

A big question from the outside around the GIANTS has surrounded the club’s midfield depth, but the pre-season form of several big names is providing reassurances that all will be fine in that area. Josh Kelly is back to his brilliant best while Tom Green again indicated that he’s set to take his game to another level on the back of a breakout 2022 season. Former co-captain Stephen Coniglio is coming off a second-place finish in the Kevin Sheedy Medal count and looked dangerous across pre-season but it’s young gun Finn Callaghan that looms as the game-breaker who will enthuse GIANTS fans the most ahead of the new season. The tall winger was outstanding with 22 possessions and two long-range goals against the Gold Coast Suns in the practice match last weekend and, with his smooth moving frame and poise, looks set to add a fresh dimension to the GIANTS' midfield after playing five games in his debut season. "We're pretty excited by what he can deliver but I just want him to play his role on the wing and we'll see where it takes us,” GIANTS coach Adam Kingsley said of Callaghan post-match.

TV and Online: 

Sunday’s opening round match will be shown live on Fox Footy and Kayo nationally and on Channel 7 in NSW and the ACT from 1pm.

In his first act as the GIANTS’ standalone captain, Toby Greene ensured the Adam Kingsley era started with a win on Sunday. 

On a day of injury carnage at GIANTS Stadium and in brutal conditions that peaked at 36 degrees, the dual All-Australian slotted 4.4 from 19 disposals to lead the GIANTS past Adelaide by 16 points.

It came after Adelaide dominated the opening half and should have led by far more than 28 points at half-time, before the GIANTS kicked 11 goals to four in the second half to win 15.16 (106) to 12.18 (90).

With Lachie Whitfield (concussion), Harry Perryman (hamstring) and Josh Kelly (concussion) watching on from the bench in the last quarter, the GIANTS produced a memorable opening-round win, recovering from 31 points down in the second quarter.

The first major decision of Kingsley's tenure was to remove the co-captaincy model that has been almost a permanent part of the GIANTS’ existence, instilling Greene as solo captain and Stephen Coniglio and Kelly as vice-captains. 

Greene led the way, but the superstar wasn't alone. 

Coniglio was as influential as anyone on the ground, gathering 32 disposals, 810 metres gained and eight clearances in a brilliant performance that could see him establish himself as one of the best midfielders in the game once again.

Before Kelly departed the game following a head clash in the fourth quarter, the former skipper moved as well as he has in a long time, collecting 26 disposals and seven clearances.

Tom Green was the other key part from the start, amassing a career-high 37 disposals and eight clearances to start 2023 on song, weeks after inking a four-year contract extension.

MRO CONCERN FOR CROW

Shane McAdam is set for scrutiny following a crude hit on young GIANTS wingman Jacob Wehr. The heavy blow in the third quarter didn't end Wehr's day but could stall McAdam's season.

TWO RETURNING GIANTS

Jack Buckley was a late inclusion for Leek Aleer, returning to league football 623 days after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in round 16, 2021. The key defender didn't look out of place and appears part of Adam Kingsley's plans down back, where the GIANTS have options. Brent Daniels also returned 590 days after his most recent AFL appearance, following repeated hamstring issues in 2022 that forced him to head to the University of Wisconsin searching for answers. The lively small forward made an impact with two goals.  

FINN FIRES IN HEAT

After his debut season was limited to just five appearances due to a foot injury that flared and lingered, Finn Callaghan showed he has put that issue behind him with a brilliant showing to start his season. The 2021 pick No.3 collected 25 disposals and amassed 421 metres gained, showing composure and class in stifling heat. No wonder the Giants were thrilled he put pen to paper on a new deal earlier this month.  

GIANTS       2.2     4.8     10.11    15.16.  (106)
ADELAIDE  4.9     8.12    10.16    12.18    (90)

GOALS 

GIANTS: Greene 4, Hogan 3, Daniels 2, Ward, H.Himmelberg, Haynes, Green, Flynn, Coniglio
Adelaide: Rachele 3, Rankine 2, Fogarty 2, Walker, Pedlar, McAdam, Keays, E.Himmelberg

BEST 

GIANTS: Greene, Coniglio, Green, Ward, Kelly, Callaghan, Hogan
Adelaide: Rachele, Dawson, Rankine, Keays

INJURIES 

GIANTS : Perryman (hamstring), Whitfield (concussion), Kelly (concussion)
Adelaide: Murray (leg)

LATE CHANGE

GIANTS: Leek Aleer replaced in selected side by Jack Buckley
Adelaide: Nil

SUBSTITUTES 

GIANTS: Adam Kennedy (replaced Harry Perryman in first quarter)
Adelaide: Tyler Brown (replaced Nick Murray in third quarter)