The GIANTS hit the road for round 16 where a crucial clash with the Crows awaits in the City of Churches on Saturday night.

AFL Round 16
 
Crows v GIANTS
Saturday, June 29 at 7:30pm 
Adelaide Oval | Kaurna Country

What it means for the GIANTS

The GIANTS (8-6) continue to show glimpses of their exciting Orange Tsunami football in recent weeks and will enter Saturday’s clash sitting in 6^th spot and with a chance to enter the top four with a victory in Adelaide.

Holding a 2-2 record over the past month, the GIANTS have registered impressive wins over the Cats and the Power while falling to the high-flying Hawks by a goal in Tassie and the red-hot Swans by 27 points on the weekend.

The GIANTS showed that their best can match it with the league’s hottest side for large periods last Saturdaybut it was a 30-minute stretch across the second and third quarters that cost them as the Swans kicked 10 straight goals to set up the four-goal win.

Despite Saturday’s loss, the GIANTS still find themselves firmly in the hunt for a top-four finish and could re-gain at least two key troops to face the Crows, with vice-captain Stephen Coniglio (shoulder) and Harry Perryman (hamstring) both facing fitness tests on Thursday in a bid to play.

The Opposition 

The Crows are fresh off a bye and will be looking to keep their mathematical chances of finals alive with a win over the GIANTS on Saturday.

Sitting in 15^th with four wins and a draw from 14 games, the Crows must be in almost perfect from here on out to book themselves a spot in September.

The Crows will enter Saturday’s clash on a three-match losing streak, having lost to the Hawks by 27 points, the Tigers by eight points, and the Swans by 42 points in their three games prior to last week’s bye.

In more positive news, the Crows could welcome back former skipper Taylor Walker who is in line to return from a back injury, as well as defender Brodie Smith (knee) and forward Elliott Himmelberg (fractured cheekbone) – the brother of GIANTS star Harry Himmelberg.

Recent History   

The GIANTS have beaten the Crows in their last four meetings, three of which have come on the Crows’ home deck at Adelaide Oval.

In the last match-up between the sides, the GIANTS stormed home with the only five goals of the final term to register a stirring 10.11 (71) to 8.9 (57) victory at Adelaide Oval in round 18 last year.

The Crows must go back almost exactly four years for the last time they took down the GIANTS, with Adelaide registering a 12-point win in round 16, 2020 at Adelaide Oval.

Key Match-Up: Stop Rankine 

The Crows’ big signing from the Gold Coast Suns last season, Izak Rankine continues to shine for his new club where he’s followed up last season’s career-best 36 goals with arguably a better 2024 season.

Averaging almost 19 touches to go along with two goals per game, the exciting small forward has put himself firmly in All Australian contention and will be sure to receive plenty of attention from the GIANTS’ coaching staff this week as they plan how to best curtail the Crows’ dynamo.

With Connor Idun or Harry Perryman – if named to return – the likely match-ups - their ability to limit the Crows' match-winner will go a long way to returning home to Sydney with the four points.

GIANTS Player to Watch: Finn Callaghan

Young gun Finn Callaghan continues to show his importance to the GIANTS following a red-hot month of footy.

Combining time as a winger and as an inside midfielder, Callaghan is averaging 25.5 touches per game across his last four matches where his line-breaking power and speed have been on full display.

Growing in confidence with each performance, Callaghan will enter Saturday’s clash following another strong outing, with the 21-year-old collecting 27 touches to go along with six clearances and eight inside-50s against the Swans last week.

Combining his speed and power with his silky left foot, Callaghan will be looking to continue his rich vein of form at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

In the Mix   

While Coniglio and Perryman face fitness tests to return, several other GIANTS are pushing their claims through the VFL, with Isaac Cumming, Darcy Jones and Aaron Cadman leading a host of strong performers.

Team Selection 

The GIANTS will name their team to take on the Crows at 6:20pm on Thursday at gwsgiants.com.au.

Rehab Report    

Get a full injury update ahead of Saturday’s match here.

Where to Watch  

Saturday’s match will be shown live and free on Channel 7 from 7:30pm in NSW and the ACT, as well as nationally on Fox Footy and Kayo.

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