When and Where:
Saturday, April 22 at 4:35pm
Ngunnawal Country | Manuka Oval
What it Means for the GIANTS:
GIANTS coach Adam Kingsley was a relieved man after his side recorded their second win for the year at Norwood Oval last weekend. Harry Himmelberg had a final two minutes to remember, taking a spectacular contested mark, kicking the winning major and making a desperate save on the goal line to seal a famous two-point win for the GIANTS over Hawthorn.
Kingsley will be hoping the victory will be a catalyst to kickstart the GIANTS’ season, with his side having lost their past seven games at their home away from home despite enjoying excellent crowd support at Manuka Oval.
"We want to turn Canberra into a fortress for us but that's difficult to do if you're not winning games," Kingsley said during the week.
"We want to try and rectify that as soon as possible but there's a way to do it and I feel the blueprint for us was the Hawthorn game and our ability to step in, pressure tackle and keeping it at the level it needs to be every week."
Last Time We Met:
Brisbane defeated the GIANTS by 40 points at Manuka Oval in round 18 last year. Despite three late goals by the GIANTS, they were able to stifle their ball movement the entire match. The GIANTS could thank full-back Sam Taylor for being within reach during the first half, as he won the ball back a staggering 12 times from intercepts in the opening two quarters alone. Taylor (15 intercepts from 20 disposals) and Harry Himmelberg (10 intercepts from 30) held back the tidal wave of inside 50s, while Toby Greene (four goals) played a lone hand at the other end.
Where’s the opposition at?
Joe Daniher put on a forward line clinic in Brisbane's 75-point demolition of North Melbourne last weekend.Daniher finished with five goals from 13 marks in a best afield performance as the Lions dominated play to record a 22.20 (152) to 12.5 (77) win and move into the top eight.
GIANTS Player to Watch:
Harry Himmelberg was the hero as the GIANTS defeated the Hawks at Norwood Oval. Not only did Himmelberg kick the winning goal, but he also subsequently prevented Hawthorn from scoring its own winner with a save on the defensive goal line with only seconds remaining. "He's a terrific player, as we know. He's got capabilities at both ends of the ground, so he's perfectly suited for a role of 'the game's close, go behind the ball'. In the same breath, he won us the game and he saved us the game, too,” Adam Kingsley said of Himmelberg post-match. The 26-year-old finished the game with 12 disposals, two goals and another Mark of the Year contender.
In the Mix:
Midfielder Tom Green has been ruled him out of the clash with Brisbane in Canberra this weekend after accepting a one-week suspension for rough conduct after a heavy tackle on Hawthorn's Josh Ward during the GIANTS' last-gasp triumph on Sunday at Norwood Oval. The loss of Green, who is fifth in the competition for contested possessions after five weeks, may be offset by the return of Harry Perryman, who has been out since suffering a hamstring injury in the opening round. Defender Leek Aleer could also return from a quad injury he sustained in the final training session before round one, with Toby Bedford also available after recovering from a hamstring injury suffered during the pre-season. Small forward Brent Daniels was managed last weekend and could return ahead of the GIANTS’ trip to Canberra.
VFL:
GIANTS v Brisbane Lions
Saturday, April 22 at 11:05am
Darug Country | Blacktown International Sportspark
All VFL matches will be live streamed free on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App.
Visit: afl.com.au/stream-vfl and follow the links. All matches will be available to watch on demand.
Rehab Report:
Get a full injury update ahead of the GIANTS' trip to Canberra here.
Where to watch:
Saturday’s match will be shown live on Fox Footy and Kayo nationally and on 7Mate in NSW and the ACT from 4:30pm.
