Where and When: Saturday 9 April, 7.25pm
Last time they met:
The Lions have had the better for the GIANTS for four years now, winning three of their last four clashes. The GIANTS’ one win was a big one: a three-point victory in the 2019 semi-final at the Gabba. Last time they met in round 11 last year, Brisbane were the dominant ones on the day, kicking the first six goals of the match before running out 65 point winners, 19.15 (129) to the GIANTS’ 10.5 (65). Hugh McCluggage, Danyne Zorko, Charlie Cameron and Daniel Rich all played a big part in the Lions’ fast start, with Mitch Robinson kicking a career-high four goals and the Lions kicking goals via 13 players. Josh Kelly, Jacob Hopper and Callan Ward battled it out well in the midfield for the GIANTS, while Jack Buckley and Nick Haynes hung in there well down back without Sam Taylor, Phil Davis or Lachie Keeffe there to help.
TV and Online:
Saturday’s match will be shown live on the Seven Network including Channel 7 in NSW and the ACT as well as Fox Sports 3 and Kayo nationally from 1.30pm.
The match can also be heard on the following radio stations in Sydney this week: SEN’s AFL Nation, ABC and Triple M. For the latest television and radio broadcast guide, click here.
What it means for the GIANTS:
The GIANTS’ scored goals via 13 players against West Coast last weekend, and made it onto the winners’ list for just the third time this year. Interim Senior Coach Mark McVeigh tried a few new things – Harry Himmelberg had more time down back, Harry Perryman more time in the midfield – and there was some brisk ball movement in there too. Momentum has been tough to find so far this season, but another chance presents here, against a team that is hard, competitive and always tough to take on at home.
Where’s the opposition at?
The Lions were rolled by Hawthorn last week in a tight match in Tasmania, losing by five points despite making the much faster start, but ten rounds in they still sit just behind Melbourne up near the top of the ladder. Cameron and Lincoln McCarthy were dangerous around goals, with youngster Jaxon Prior kicking three. Defender Marcus Adams should return to the side after missing the Tassie trip due to covid protocols, while McCluggage must overcome a minor hamstring complaint in order to take his place in the side.
Player watch:
The backline was not an entirely new place for Harry Himmelberg to find himself last week: he spent his very early days at the GIANTS learning how to play down back. The 26-year-old’s decision making and ball use came in handy against the Eagles, and his move also opened up some room for Jake Riccardi, Zac Sproule and Jesse Hogan at the other end of the ground. Even down back Harry still found a way to hit the scoreboard, meaning he has now kicked at least one goal in his 20 games in a row (and 22 from his last 23).
In the mix:
Josh Fahey has been pushing hard for a debut in recent weeks, but his shoulder injury means he will have to wait until 2023 to make his GIANTS debut. Lachie Whitfield (ankle) and Nick Haynes (illness) are chances to return against the Lions, while Lachie Ash, another who missed last week’s match unwell, is ready to come back into the side. Keeffe might be called upon to help handle the tall Brisbane forward line, with Leek Aleer also pushing his name forward in the last few weeks. Ryan Angwin and Cam Fleeton were others who performed well in the VFL team’s loss on the weekend.
