When and Where:
Saturday, July 15 at 7:40pm AEST/ 7:10pm ACST
Adelaide Oval | Kaurna Country
What it Means for the GIANTS:
A red-hot month of footy has the GIANTS banging down the door of the top eight as they look to win their fifth straight game for the first time in almost five years. With consecutive wins against North Melbourne, Fremantle, Melbourne, and Hawthorn, the GIANTS can make it a handful of straight wins - and possibly jump into the top eight - with victory against a Crows side on their home deck. Coincidentally, the last time the GIANTS had five successive wins came back in round 21, 2018 with a win against the Crows at Manuka Oval.
Saturday’s result will have major ramifications on the AFL ladder, with the Crows (9th) and the GIANTS (10th) deadlocked on eight wins each and only two points outside of Geelong in 8th spot, and just one game behind Essendon (5th), St Kilda (6th), and the Western Bulldogs (7th).
Adding further importance to Saturday’s clash, career-long GIANT Lachie Whitfield will play game number 200 after making his AFL debut for the club as a fresh-faced 18-year-old back in 2013. Whitfield will be just the third GIANT to play 200 games for the club, joining Toby Greene and Callan Ward.
Last Time We Met:
It was a tale of Jekyll and Hyde in the first and second halves when the two sides clashed in the opening round of the 2023 season, but ultimately it was the GIANTS who stood tall to record a morale-boosting 16-point win at GIANTS Stadium. After the visiting Crows came out soaring to hold a 28-point half time lead, the GIANTS flicked a switch with an 11 goal to four second half to claim a gutsy 15.16 (106) – 12.18 (90) win. After being outplayed early, the GIANTS got to work around the footy after half time and finished on top 129 -111 in the contested footy count - a feat they’ll look to replicate to make it five in a row on Saturday night. After applying just two tackles in the first quarter, the Orange Tsunami went into overdrive as the GIANTS finished with an incredible 18-0 advantage in forward 50 tackles. Tom Green got his season off to a great start with 37 disposals and a goal in the win, while skipper Toby Greene (19 disposals, 4 goals) and Jesse Hogan (13 disposals, 3 goals) were huge up forward.
Where’s the opposition at?
After smashing North Melbourne by 66-points a fortnight ago, the Crows were brought back to earth by the Bombers on Sunday as the Dons registered a 17.13 (115) to 15.7 (97) win at Marvel Stadium. Rory Laird (31 disposals, 9 tackles) and Jordan Dawson (28 disposals, 8 marks, 8 tackles) were amongst the Crows best.
GIANTS Player to Watch:
The GIANTS will be hoping that vice-captain Stephen Coniglio can continue to put his name in All-Australian contention with another strong outing. Last week against the Hawks, the speedy 29-year-old kicked three goals to go along with his 30 disposals to continue his career-best form.
Stephen Coniglio isn't only back to his very best, he’s eclipsed it - and he’s got the numbers to prove it 📈 #BigBigSound
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) July 12, 2023
In the Mix:
The GIANTS will have a trio of forced changes with Lachlan Keeffe (hamstring), Xavier O’Halloran (thumb), and Nick Haynes (suspension) out for Saturday night's clash with the Crows. Small forward Brent Daniels has returned to full training and is expected to put his hand up for selection after missing multiple weeks with a hamstring strain. With both Keeffe and Haynes ruled out, Adam Kingsley will need a reinforcement or two down back, with veteran defender Phil Davis (21 disposals, 8 marks) and youngster Leek Aleer (18 disposals, 7 marks) impressing at VFL level. Last year’s no.1 draft pick Aaron Cadman (15 disposals, 2 goals) also impressed in the VFL and could find himself in contention.
VFL:
Frankston Dolphins v GIANTS
Sunday, July 16 at 1:05pm
Kinetic Stadium | Bunurong Country
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 Saturday’s clash with Adelaide, 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 7:30pm.
