Where and When: Sunday, March 27 at 3:20pm, MCG

Last time they met: 

The GIANTS were credited with ending Richmond’s premiership defence last year, defeating the reigning premiers by 39 points at Marvel Stadium in round 22.

The loss of talisman Toby Greene to suspension mattered little to the GIANTS, with the likes of Josh Kelly, Jacob Hopper, Harry Himmelberg and Tim Taranto taking it upon themselves to cement the GIANTS a finals spot.

Regular midfielder Taranto spent most of the night in Greene's attacking role and kicked a career-best four goals as the GIANTS recorded their highest first-quarter score of the year.

TV and Online: 

Sunday’s match will be shown live on Fox Footy and Kayo nationally and on 7mate in NSW and the ACT from 3pm. The match will also be shown via the AFL Live app with a subscription purchase. 

The match can also be heard on the following radio stations in Sydney this week: SEN’s AFL Nation. For the latest television and radio broadcast guide, click here.

What it means for the GIANTS: 

In an entertaining, high-scoring clash in round one, the Sydney Derby produced another exciting contest in the opening round. The first-half goal fest saw the Swans and GIANTS one-up each other with end-to-end run, but John Longmire’s side had the stamina to keep it up by kicking eight goals to three after half-time. The GIANTS will be eager to return to the winners’ list in round two and will take confidence from winning two of their three matches at the MCG in 2021.

Where’s the opposition at: 

The Tigers, like the GIANTS, lost in the opening round of the season. Damien Hardwick’s side clashed with Carlton at the MCG and looked in control until the Blues kicked five goals in eight minutes in a stunning surge to power themselves to an upset. Richmond will notably be without Jack Riewoldt, Dion Prestia, Nick Vlastuin and Kane Lambert on Sunday afternoon.

The number: 250.

Sunday will mark a special milestone game for the GIANTS inaugural co-captain Callan Ward, who will celebrate his 250th AFL match. Into his 15th season, Ward arrived at the GIANTS from the Western Bulldogs as one of the clubs first uncontracted players, winning the club's first club champion award in 2012. After playing 60 games at the Dogs, Ward hardly missed a game in his first seven seasons at the GIANTS, playing 156 games before rupturing his ACL in 2019. In 2021 Ward became the GIANTS' all time games record-holder.

In the mix: 

There’s a bit for the match committee to work through this week for the GIANTS. Forward Jesse Hogan has had his training loads managed over the last three weeks after reporting soreness following the team’s pre-season practice match in Albury last month.  
Nick Haynes has been managing some stomach issues but played a full game in a VFL practice match on the weekend. Both will need to get through full training on Thursday to put their hands up for selection. Ruckman Braydon Preuss could make his club debut this weekend after missing the opening round through suspension. Meanwhile, second-year wingman Ryan Angwin has impressed over pre-season and was strong in the VFL last weekend after being named an emergency for the AFL.