Where and When: Sunday, June 12 at 3:20pm
Last time they met:
The GIANTS fell just short of a miraculous comeback in a 14.10 (94) to 14.10 (94) draw against North Melbourne in round 13 last year. The Kangaroos held a 28-point lead heading into the final term at Blundstone Area in Hobart and were on track for an upset win. But after a poor first three quarters, the GIANTS mustered a late revival, with two Daniel Lloyd goals levelling scores with just over a minute to go. Midfielder Josh Kelly was the best afield for the GIANTS, finishing with 39 disposals to go along with two goals, while Nick Haynes also impressed with 26 disposals and a game-high 14 marks.
TV and Online:
Sunday’s AFL match between the Kangaroos and GIANTS 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 and ABC Radio. For the latest television and radio broadcast guide, click here.
What it means for the GIANTS:
The GIANTS impressed despite a narrow 14-point defeat to the Lions at the Gabba in round 11. Interim senior coach Mark McVeigh has tried a few new things – Harry Himmelberg has spent more time down back, Harry Perryman has spent more time in the midfield – and there was some brisk ball movement in there too.Momentum has been tough to find so far for the GIANTS this season, but they’ll be boosted by the possible returns of Nick Haynes and Lachie Whitfield.
Where’s the opposition at?
It's been a difficult start to the Kangaroos’ 2022 season, currently sitting at 1-11 and second-last on the ladder. Coming off a 62-point loss to the Gold Coast in round 12, David Noble’s side will be without key defender Ben McKay after he was subbed out of the game with concussion in the second quarter.
Player watch:
Sunday will mark a special milestone game for the GIANTS’ inaugural co-captain Callan Ward, who will become the first GIANT to hit the 200-game milestone for the club. Into his 15th season, Ward arrived at the GIANTS from the Western Bulldogs as one of the club’s first uncontracted players, winning the GIANTS’ 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 and celebrated his 250th AFL match earlier this year.
In the mix:
All-Australian duo Lachie Whitfield (ankle) and Nick Haynes (illness) will look to make their returns against North while star onballer Tim Taranto (back) and defensive stalwart Phil Davis (hamstring) are both looking likely to return the week after against the Western Bulldogs at GIANTS Stadium. Braydon Preuss is a strong chance to be fit for this week's encounter with the Kangaroos after recovering from illness and some injury niggles but with fellow ruckman Matt Flynn performing well in his absence, he may be given another week in the VFL.
