Where and When: Sunday, May 22 at 2:10pm, GIANTS Stadium
Last time they met:
It was the GIANTS who came away with the chocolates last time these two sides met, with an undermanned GIANTS holding on for an important 16-point victory over the Eagles at GIANTS Stadium in round 10, 2021. The GIANTS moved into the top eight with their fifth win in seven matches, with the 13.15 (93) to 11.11 (77) victory. In his first game as stand-in captain, Josh Kelly led from the front with 25 disposals (13 contested), while the in-form midfield group of Tom Green (27 disposals, two goals), Tim Taranto (26 touches), Jacob Hopper (28) and Callan Ward (29) were all influential, supported by Shane Mumford and Matt Flynn in their first game rucking together.
Broadcast:
Sunday’s match will be shown live on the Seven Network including 7mate in NSW and the ACT as well as Fox Footy and Kayo nationally from 2pm. The match can also be heard on the following radio stations in Sydney this week: SEN’s AFL Nation, Triple M and ABC. For the latest television and radio broadcast guide, click here.
What it means for the GIANTS:
The GIANTS are coming off the back of a big two weeks following the departure of senior coach Leon Cameron last Sunday. They’re currently sitting on two wins, seven losses and will be eager to bounce back in a big way this weekend under the guidance of new interim coach Mark McVeigh. It'll be the first time in almost a decade the team will be led by a new voice on game day, with McVeigh expected to put his own spin on things as he tries to turn the GIANTS’ season around. The team returns to GIANTS Stadium for the round 10 clash, in what is just the third game of the season at GIANTS Stadium, and first time since early March they’ve had consecutive weeks of no travel. It’ll also be a significant occasion for the entire AFL community as the league kicks off Sir Doug Nicholls Round this weekend.
Where’s the opposition at?
It's been a difficult start to the Eagles’ 2022 season, currently sitting at 1-8 and on the bottom of the ladder. The club are in the midst of an availability crisis with several of their key players still unavailable for selection. The Eagles expect captain Luke Shuey and experienced midfielder Andrew Gaff to return against the GIANTS, while forward Josh Kennedy (knee soreness) and premiership captain Shannon Hurn (calf) have been ruled out. Star forward Liam Ryan is out with a one-match suspension following a high bump on Demon Jake Bowey, while young defender Luke Foley will miss because of concussion. West Coast are coming off a 74-point loss to the undefeated Melbourne.
Player watch:
His efforts aren’t always be visible on the stats sheet, but Sam Taylor has been a shining light for the GIANTS this season. With Phil Davis going down with injury in round two, the 23-year-old has been a beacon of strength down back, taking on – and in most cases beating – some of the league’s best forwards in the competition. Outgoing Senior Coach Leon Cameron raved about Taylor’s potential in his final press conference – definitely a player that all GIANTS fans can get excited about.
In the Mix:
It will be an interesting first team selection for McVeigh with a new coaching regime often leading to new faces and a change of style. Youngsters Conor Stone and Finn Callaghan have been ruled out with injury. The GIANTS’ VFL side suffered their first loss of the season last week but James Peatling (27 disposals, five tackles), Jacob Wehr (18 disposals, eight marks) and Jarrod Brander (22 disposals, 12 marks) all impressed. Jesse Hogan was a late out with illness last week and could slot straight back into the side.
