Match Information:
St Kilda v GIANTS
Saturday, October 14 at 1:05pm
RSEA Park | Boonwurrung Country
State of Play:
A tough month to open the season was put aside in winning fashion last week as the GIANTS recorded their first win of 2023 with an impressive four-quarter performance at Blacktown International Sportspark.
After encouraging patches of play against the competition’s top three sides inside the first five rounds, the GIANTS got on the board with a convincing 6.8 (44) to 3.6 (24) win over the Eagles.
With scored tied at 2.5 (17) apiece after a hotly contested first half, the GIANTS grew a few inches in an impressive third term to hold the visitors scoreless while kicking 3.2 of their own to hold a match-winning 20-point lead at the final break they would not surrender.
Four-time club champion Alyce Parker (23 disposals, 10 clearances, 16 contested possessions) fought through some strong attention from the Eagles with another strong performance alongside Nicola Bar (22 disposals) and the energetic Haneen Zreika (16 disposals, 10 tackles).
Meanwhile teenage sensation Zarlie Goldsworthy did her Rising Star chances no harm with 3.3 to go along with 17 disposals and four tackles.
Goldsworthy was awarded a perfect 10 coaches votes for her starring performance in the win.
With added confidence following their first victory of the season, the GIANTS will be hoping to carry their newfound momentum into Saturday’s crucial clash with the Saints.
The Opposition:
It’s been a roller coaster ride for St Kilda thus far in 2023 with the Saints opening the season with three losses before bouncing back with a trio of wins over Collingwood, the Bulldogs, and Hawthorn to enter the clash with the GIANTS at 3-3.
In their recent win over the Hawks, the Saints led at every break and by almost five goals at the final change before holding off a fast-finishing Hawthorn for a 7.3 (45) to 5.6 (36) win.
The nine-point victory was the first time the Saints have ever registered three successive wins in the AFLW since joining the competition in 2020.
Midfielder Jaimee Lambert led the way for the Saints in the history-creating win with 26 disposals, 10 tackles, seven clearances, and a goal to receive eight Coaches votes for her performance.
Stopping Lambert will go a long way to beating the Saints on Saturday, with the two-time All-Australian starring for her new side since making the move from Collingwood in the summer.
Recent History:
February 2022 was the last time the two sides faced off as the GIANTS registered a thrilling two-point win in Blacktown.
In a tight clash with no more than 11 points separating the sides throughout, the GIANTS held a four-point lead at the final change before a nail-biting last term saw a goal after the siren from Katherine Smith help the GIANTS secure a gutsy 6.5 (41) to 5.9 (39) victory.
Skipper Alicia Eva (22 disposals, 10 tackles) and Alyce Parker (21 disposals, nine clearances) led the way in the win.
GIANTS Player to Watch:
Nicola Barr has made a name for herself playing both up forward and down back but in season 2023 has starred in a new role as a midfielder.
Adding her speed, smarts and ball-winning ability to the GIANTS engine room, Barr has flourished across the first six rounds to sit comfortably among the GIANTS’ most productive players this season.
Possessing career averages of 11.8 disposals, 4.5 handballs, and 3.3 tackles per game, Barr has blown those figures out of the water in her move to the midfield to average 18.8 disposals, 9.7 handballs and 6.7 tackles per game.
The GIANTS will be hoping the 27-year-old can continue her strong form on Saturday in their bid to take down the Saints at home.
In the Mix:
With ruck Fleur Davies missing through suspension, there’ll be at least one change for the GIANTS’ clash with St Kilda.
First-year GIANT Teagan Germech has responded well to treatment for her ankle injury and will come into contention for an early return if she can pass a fitness test, while last week’s emergencies Tess Cattle, Jasmine Grierson and Caitlin Miller will also be in the mix.
Team Selection:
The GIANTS will name their round seven team at 6:20pm on Thursday at gwsgiants.com.au.
Rehab Report:
Get a full injury update ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Saints here.
Where to Watch:
The GIANTS’ round seven clash with St Kilda will be shown live on Fox Footy and Kayo nationally and on 7Mate in NSW and the ACT from 1pm on Saturday.
Social Media:
Follow the GIANTS’ brand new Instagram account, @GWSGIANTSAFLW, and be part of the #BigBigSound in 2023.
