Match Details:
GIANTS v Kangaroos
Saturday, March 16 at 4:35pm
ENGIE Stadium | Wangal Country
What it Means for the GIANTS
The GIANTS fired a warning shot to the rest of the competition on Saturday with an impressive 32-point win over reigning premiers Collingwood and now they’ll look to back it up in a round one clash with the Kangaroos.
Back at the newly-named ENGIE Stadium, the GIANTS will be hoping to replicate Saturday’s red-hot form which saw the orange tsunami surge with nine of 11 goals either side of half-time against the Magpies - at one point leading by 52 points midway through the fourth quarter - to eventually run out 18.6 (114) to 11.16 (82) victors.
With Callum Brown (five goals), Jesse Hogan (four goals), and Brent Daniels (four goals) combining for 13 goals to lead an extremely potent forward line, the GIANTS spoiled the reigning premiers’ party but must now back it up against a young and hungry Kangaroos side looking to start their season off with a bang.
While Saturday’s season-opener was almost the perfect start to their 2024 campaign, the GIANTS did suffer a casualty from the game, with veteran midfielder Callan Ward injuring the AC joint in his right shoulder to sideline him for six to eight weeks.
Notorious for starting the season slow in the past few years, the GIANTS will be looking to buck that trend by taking down the Kangaroos on Saturday to claim back-to-back wins to start the 2024 season.
The Opposition
The Kangaroos will enter the round one match-up fresh and raring to go as one of the 10 remaining clubs ready to start their 2024 campaign after watching Opening Round from afar.
After several seasons lingering at the bottom of the ladder, the ‘Roos will be hoping that their second season under four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson will prove to be their most fruitful campaign in years.
Having lost veterans Jack Ziebell, Ben Cunnington and Aaron Hall to retirement, and Todd Goldstein and Ben McKay to the Bombers, the Kangaroos will enter 2024 with the youngest and least-experienced list in the AFL but littered with young talent.
Led by young stars Luke Davies-Uniacke, Nick Larkey, 2023 Rising Star winner Harry Sheezel, and promising midfielder George Wardlaw, as well as highly touted draftee Colby McKercher, the ‘Roos will be hoping their crop of young talent can help turn their fortunes around in season 2024.
North Melbourne however will enter their clash with the GIANTS on Saturday without one of their key pieces, with skipper Jye Simpkin ruled out with concussion following the head-high bump from Saint Jimmy Webster in their AAMI Community Series clash two weeks ago.
Recent History
The GIANTS have had the wood over the Kangaroos in recent times, having won five of the last six encounters between the two sides.
In their most recent clash, the only match-up between the sides last season, the GIANTS broke the game open with a strong second-half to run away 15.13 (103) to 11.9 (75) winners at Hobart’s Blundstone Arena in round 13.
With just five points separating the sides at half-time, skipper Toby Greene kicked two crucial goals in the third term as the GIANTS jumped out to a four-goal lead at the final break on their way to a 28-point win.
Greene finished with 24 disposals and three goals in a starring role, while Callan Ward (26 touches), Tom Green (26 touches) and Stephen Coniglio (25 touches, seven clearances) were all strong contributors.
For the ‘Roos, Liam Shiels (29 touches, seven clearances), Harry Sheezel (24 touches), and Nick Larkey (four goals) led from the front.
Key Match-Up: ‘Slammer’ v ‘Souv’
One of the games within Saturday’s game will be the match-up between two of the competition’s elite key position players.
On one side you have star GIANTS defender and 2022 All -Australian fullback Sam Taylor who, over the past few seasons, has cemented himself as one of the competition’s best one-on-one defenders. Affectionally known at the club and by GIANTS fans as ‘Slammer’, Taylor’s ability to curtail the competition’s best key forwards and minimise their impact has placed his name amongst the AFL’s elite.
Taylor’s talents will be put to the test once more on Saturday as he faces a likely match-up with another young star of the competition in Kangaroos spearhead Nick Larkey. Affectionally known by North Melbourne fans as ‘Souv’, the mobile star forward kicked a career-best 71 goals from 23 games last season to earn his maiden All-Australian blazer.
Two of the AFL’s best young key position players, the likely matchup of ‘Slammer’ v ‘Souv’ is worth entry on its own and likely to have a huge influence on the outcome of Saturday’s match.
GIANTS Player to Watch
GIANTS star Lachie Whitfield was back to his brilliant best last season and if Saturday’ Opening Round performance is anything to go by there’s still plenty left in the tank for the dashing defender.
Averaging 27 disposals, 5.8 marks and 461m gained per game last season to play a key role in the GIANTS’ thrilling run to the preliminary final, Whitfield started his 2024 campaign in similar fashion on Saturday, finishing with a team-high 33 disposals and a match-high 14 marks in a superb display off half-back.
Looking to make it consecutive wins to start the season, the GIANTS will be hoping Whitfield can continue his sizzling start to 2024 against the Kangaroos on Saturday.
In the Mix
With Callan Ward ruled out for six to eight weeks with a shoulder injury, there’ll be at least one change to Adam Kingsley’s side to take on North Melbourne on Saturday.
In good news for the club, reliable defender Harry Perryman is set to return to the GIANTS’ line-up on Saturday after recovering from a pre-season hamstring injury.
Emerging star Finn Callaghan is also in contention to play his first game of the season on Saturday, with the 20-year-old midfielder to be a test for the clash after overcoming a minor shoulder injury before sustaining a cut to his foot over the weekend.
Callaghan received stitches for the cut on Saturday and will increase his training across the week before a decision is made regarding his availability.
Team Selection
The GIANTS will name their team to take on the Kangaroos at 6:20pm on Thursday at gwsgiants.com.au.
Rehab Report
Get a full injury update ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Kangaroos here.
Where to Watch
Saturday’s match will be shown live on 7Mate in NSW and the ACT as well as Fox Footy and Kayo nationally from 4:30pm.
Social Media
Be part of the #BigBigSound in 2024 - For all the latest news, follow @GWSGIANTS on social media: Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram.
