The unbeaten GIANTS will look to continue to their record-breaking start to 2024 as they host the Saints in Canberra on Saturday afternoon.
Match Details
GIANTS v St Kilda
Saturday, April 13 at 1:45pm
Manuka Oval, Canberra | Ngunnawal Country
What it Means for the GIANTS
The GIANTS continue to re-write the club’s record books as they enter round five as one of just three undefeated sides alongside the Blues and the Cats.
Winning their opening four games for the first time in GIANTS history, Adam Kingsley’s men will look to extend the record to five with victory over the Saints on Saturday in what is the GIANTS’ first of three matches in Canberra this season.
Following strong wins over the Magpies, Kangaroos and Eagles, the GIANTS gathered in Adelaide with the rest of the football world last weekend where they claimed an impressive 28-point win over the Suns to remain atop the AFL ladder ahead of Saturday’s showdown with the Saints.
In the win over the Suns, the GIANTS held a slim lead at every change before a five goal to two final term put the game out of reach for Gold Coast as the Orange Tsunami surged to an 18.9 (117) to 13.11 (89) win.
Lachie Whitfield (29 disposals), Josh Kelly (27 disposals) and Stephen Coniglio (27 disposals, two goals) continued their strong starts to the season in the victory, while Toby Greene (five goals), Jesse Hogan (four goals) and Callum Brown (three goals) all fired up forward.
The Opposition
The Saints enter round five following a hot and cold start to their 2024 campaign, alternating between victory and defeat across their first four games to sit ninth on the AFL table with a 2-2 win-loss record.
After opening their season with a tough eight-point loss to Geelong at GMHBA Stadium in round one, the Saints rebounded with an impressive 15-point win over reigning premiers Collingwood before falling to the Bombers in round three by four points.
The Saints bounced back to even the ledger at 2-2 with a seven-point over Richmond last week despite a sluggish start which saw the Tigers lead by four goals at quarter time.
After kicking just one goal in the first half to trail 5.3 (33) to 1.5 (11) at the main break, the Saints dragged themselves back into the contest with a spirited six goal to two third term before holding on to register a gritty 9.13 (67) to 9.6 (60) win over the Tigers at Norwood Oval.
The Saints were led by skipper Jack Steele (33 touches, 10 tackles), Jack Sinclair (29 disposals) and Rowan Marshall (23 disposals, 24 hit-outs) in the Gather Round victory.
In a unique point of consistency, the Saints have registered scores of 67,67, and 68 in three of their four outings so far this year, with their score of 14.10 (94) in a win over the Magpies the outlier across their first month.
Recent History
The Saints may have some added motivation this weekend after the GIANTS ended St Kilda’s 2023 campaign with a 24-point elimination final win at the MCG last September.
Overcoming numerous challenges from the Saints, the GIANTS proved too good on the day as Adam Kingsley won his first final as GIANTS coach with an impressive 15.11 (101) to 11.11 (77) win.
Experienced duo Lachie Whitfield (31 disposals and seven inside 50s) and Josh Kelly (27 and two goals) starred in the win while young gun Tom Green (36 and nine inside 50s) produced a massive finals performance.
Despite the loss in their most recent encounter, the Saints have had the wood over the GIANTS in recent years, winning the previous four meetings prior to last year’s elimination final.
In a possible stroke of coincidence, the last time the GIANTS beat the Saints in the home and away season was back in 2019, with a 44-point win in round seven at this weekend’s venue, Manuka Oval.
Key Match-Up: The Clash of the Canberra Products
Saturday’s match-up in the nation’s capital will see two of the region’s brightest products go toe-to-toe on home soil in GIANTS star Tom Green and former GIANT - and now Saints skipper - Jack Steele.
The two proud Canberrans have led the way for their respective midfields early in the season and now they’ll battle it out in their backyard as they look to lead their sides to victory.
Green has picked up where he left off from last year’s career-best season early in 2024, with the 23-year-old sitting inside the AFL’s top 10 for disposals (31), contested possessions (14.8), ground ball gets (11.5), and tackles (7.3) per game while sitting just outside the top 10 with 6.8 clearances an outing.
Steele has also been instrumental for his side, with the 28-year-old leading the Saints in disposals (28.3 per game), clearances (6.3), contested possessions (12.5) and tackles (8.5) in a strong start to his 2024 campaign.
With the local pair likely to line-up on each other for large parts of Saturday’s encounter, who can get on top in their old stomping ground will prove pivotal to who sings the song later that day.
GIANTS Player to Watc
Star defender Sam Taylor continues to cement himself as one of, if not the best, key defenders in the AFL.
Taylor and the rest of the GIANTS defence have been at their stingy best in the opening month of the season to play a huge part in the GIANTS record unbeaten start to 2024.
Named an All Australian in 2022 and considered unlucky not to make last year’s side after falling short of the minimum 15 game requirement, Taylor has continued his dominance down back for the GIANTS so far this season.
In a brilliant start to his campaign, the unassuming 24-year-old sits first in the AFL for intercept marks, intercept possessions, contested marks, and contested defensive one-on-ones across the first month of the season.
With a likely match-up with Saints star Max King on the cards for Saturday, Taylor’s performance in the match-up will be critical to the GIANTS keeping their unblemished record this weekend.
In the Mix
Former captain Callan Ward could return to the GIANTS’ line-up as early as this weekend, with the GIANTS veteran set to be a test for Saturday’s match against the Saints.
The 296-gamer injured his shoulder in the GIANTS’ Opening Round win over the Magpies and was expected to miss 6-8 weeks.
Having avoided surgery, the tough midfielder has progressed through his rehabilitation quicker than expected to return to full contact training this week. Should he train fully, Ward is expected to be available for selection against the Saints.
Team Selection
The GIANTS will name their team to take on the Saints at 6:20pm on Thursday at gwsgiants.com.au.
Rehab Report
Get a full injury update ahead of Saturday’s match with the Saints here.
Where to Watch
Saturday’s match will be shown live on Fox Footy and Kayo nationally from 1:30pm as well as live and free on 7mate from 1:30pm in NSW and the ACT.
Social Media
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