When and Where:

Collingwood v GIANTS
Friday, September 22 at 7:50pm
MCG | Wurundjeri Country

What it Means for the GIANTS:

The GIANTS will look to continue their blistering form when the Orange Tsunami rolls into Melbourne to take on the rested Magpies in a preliminary final blockbuster at the ‘G.

With a spot in the grand final on the line, the GIANTS will enter Friday’s clash riding a wave of momentum following their impressive 23-point win over the Power in Adelaide on Saturday night.

The GIANTS silenced an opposing hostile home crowd for the second week running with a powerful 13.15 (93) to 9.16 (70) win built on the back of a scintillating five goal to one second quarter.

With their strangling defence and rapid ball movement on full display, the GIANTS scored 5.7 (37) to Port’s 1.5 (11) in a dominant second term to burst out to a match-winning 29-point half-time lead.

While the GIANTS only registered three more inside-50s than the Power (56 v 53), they dominated the home side in several key areas to claim the crucial victory, winning disposals (+95), uncontested possessions (+74), clearances (+16), and contested possessions (+19) by huge margins to control the majority of the match.

The GIANTS have now won 11 of their past 13 matches after starting the season at 4-8.

While the minor premiers and their black and white army awaits on Friday night, the GIANTS and their Orange Army will enter the ‘G with no fear, having won a league-high nine of their 15 away games this season, including huge road wins over the Saints and the Power in the first two weeks of finals.

In a sense of déjà vu, the last time the GIANTS played off in a preliminary final was in 2019 where they were able to overcome their upcoming opponent in a thrilling upset at the MCG.

A win in Friday’s final would see the GIANTS remarkably reach a second AFL grand final despite their brief 12-year existence.

Last Time We Met:

It was a dog day afternoon for the GIANTS the last time they faced Collingwood as the Magpies registered a 65-point win at the MCG in round nine.

Missing skipper Toby Greene, the GIANTS lacked their usual spark as the home side burst out to a 32-point half-time lead before continuing their rampage in the second half to run out 18.12 (120) to 7.13 (55) winners. 

Collingwood’s 18.12 (120) total was the second biggest score conceded by the GIANTS this season, only eclipsed by Port Adelaide’s 21.10 (136) in round 22.

If the GIANTS are to rectify the round nine performance on Friday, they’ll need to make it much tougher on Collingwood and their ability to score from inside-50s. In the round nine clash the ‘Pies had just two more inside-50s than the GIANTS despite winning by more than 10 goals, converting a season-best 59 per cent of their inside-50s into scores in a clinical offensive performance.

The GIANTS have gone 12-4 since the loss to Collingwood and will have an opportunity to atone for their prior performance with a grand final appearance on the line on Friday.

Where’s the Opposition at? 

While the GIANTS will enter Friday’s clash on a six-day break, Collingwood will be well rested after having not played since their nail-biting seven-point win over Melbourne in week one of the finals.

Leading throughout the entire match, the ‘Pies withheld a late fightback from the Demons to book a spot in Friday’s final with a 9.6 (60) to 7.11 (53) victory at the MCG.

After being dealt a blow with news that veteran onballer Taylor Adams would miss Friday’s clash with a low-grade hamstring injury, Collingwood were given a major boost on Monday with young gun Nick Daicos ruled fit and available.

Daicos hasn’t played since suffering a hairline fracture in his knee in Collingwood’s round 21 loss to Hawthorn on August 5 but will face the GIANTS after being deemed ready for battle.

GIANTS Player to Watch: 

Toby Greene has shown time and time again that he thrives on performing on the big stage. And with Friday’s preliminary final already sold out, expect Greene to be gearing up for another trademark performance in front of nearly 100,000 fans at the MCG.

Green will enter Friday’s prelim on the back of the best season of his stellar career, not only being selected in the All-Australian side for a second time but named captain for the first time in his career.

With 64 goals to his name to date this season, the highest tally of his career, Greene will be hoping to continue his stellar year against Collingwood on Friday following his key role in the win over the Power on Saturday.

In a starring performance, Greene kicked the GIANTS first two goals of the game against Port Adelaide as well as the dagger deep in time on in the final term to cut out any chance of a Power revival.

The dynamic forward finished the night with 15 disposals, 3.2, and six marks to play a key part in the semi-final win and will be hoping for a similar performance on Friday in search of a ticket to the grand final.

In the Mix:

With no injuries to come out of their big semi-final win over Port Adelaide, Adam Kingsley will have almost his entire playing list to choose from for Friday’s preliminary final with the Magpies.

GIANTS veteran Nick Haynes, utility Ryan Angwin, and ruckman Braydon Preuss could come into consideration after being named as emergencies in last week’s win over the Power.

Rehab Report: 

Get a full injury update ahead of Friday’s clash with the ‘Pies here. 

Where to Watch:  

Coverage of the GIANTS’ clash with Collingwood will be shown live and free on Channel 7 from 7pm on Friday as well as live on Fox Footy and Kayo nationally from 6:50pm.