The GIANTS will celebrate Indigenous Round at Henson Park on Saturday as they host the Dockers in their final home game of the season.
Match Information:
GIANTS v Walyalup (Fremantle Dockers)
Saturday, October 26 at 2:05pm
Henson Park | Gadigal and Wangal Country
State of Play:
With just two games left for the season the GIANTS will look to close out their 2024 campaign on a high, starting with an exciting clash with Walyalup on Saturday.
In what’s shaped as the story of their season so far, the GIANTS continue to match it with some of the league’s best sides for large periods but are still searching for the four-quarter consistency required to convert their efforts into four points.
In their most recent performance on Saturday, the GIANTS put in a brilliant effort against the second-placed Hawks in a superb first half but were unable to maintain it after the main break as Hawthorn ran away with a strong win.
Quick out of the blocks through back-to-back goals to young gun Tarni Evans, the GIANTS led by a point at quarter-time and then trailed by just a point at half-time in an impressive first half to show that their best football can compete amongst one of the elite sides of the competition.
While the GIANTS were unable to maintain the high level after half-time as the Hawks registered a 37-point win, there was once again plenty of promise shown on Saturday to point towards an exciting future as the side’s young talent continues to develop.
The GIANTS will now be looking to convert last week’s strong first-half performance into a complete four-quarter performance on Saturday against the Dockers as the club celebrates Indigenous Round in their final home game of the season.
The Opposition:
Fremantle, who is going by its Indigenous name of Walyalup this week, currently sit in sixth place on the AFLW table with a 6-3 win-loss record.
In their most recent outing, the Dockers got the best of their crosstown rival to claim an impressive 23-point derby win over the Eagles on Saturday.
The Dockers held the Eagles goalless in the first half to set up the 5.5 (35) to 1.6 (12) win.
Ruck Mim Strom was dominant in the win, finishing with an AFLW record 48 hit-outs to go along with 15 disposals to win the Derby Medal as best on ground.
Midfielder Aisling McCarthy was also influential, fishing with 20 disposals, 11 tackles and a goal in the win.
Still a chance for a top four finish, the Dockers will be hoping to take down the GIANTS on their own home deck on Saturday to keep their hopes of a double chance alive with just two games remaining.
Recent History:
The GIANTS and the Dockers have met just four times in the AFLW competition, with the sides playing out a draw in their first meeting back in 2018, with the Dockers winning two out of the three clashes since.
It’s been almost three years since the sides last met, with the Dockers registering a 32-point win at Whitten Oval in Melbourne back in January, 2022.
A pair of familiar faces led the way for the GIANTS despite the loss, with Alicia Eva (26 touches, eight clearances) and a 21-year-old Alyce Parker (19 touches, four clearances) the GIANTS’ leading possession winners.
In The Mix:
The GIANTS could have a larger squad to select from this week, with Cambridge McCormick and Indigo Linde both returning to full training as they ramp up their rehab from respective ankle and calf injuries.
Others to come into consideration for Saturday’s game will be Courtney Murphy, Fleur Davies and Caitlin Miller who were all emergencies last week.
Team Selection:
The GIANTS will name their team to take on the Dockers at 6:20pm on Thursday at gwsgiants.com.au.
Rehab Report:
Get a full injury update ahead of Saturday’s match here.
Where to Watch:
The GIANTS’ round nine clash with the Dockers will be shown live on Fox Footy and Kayo nationally, and on 7 Two in NSW and the ACT, from 2pm on Saturday.
Social Media:
Follow the GIANTS on Instagram at @GWSGIANTSAFLW, and be part of the #BigBigSound in 2024.
