The GIANTS will be out to tame the Tigers on Sunday as they clash with Richmond at the home of footy.
AFL Round 18
Richmond v GIANTS
Sunday, July 14 at 3:20pm
MCG | Wurundjeri Country
What it means for the GIANTS
The GIANTS (9-7) will look to continue their finals push following Saturday’s season-defining 12-point win over the red-hot Carlton at ENGIE Stadium.
Knocked out of the top eight for the first time this season ahead of that clash, the Orange Tsunami surged back into premiership contention with a blistering 60 minutes of football against the second-placed Blues.
Trailing by 39 points early in the second term, the GIANTS obliterated Carlton over the next hour of footy, kicking 14 of the next 16 goals in a remarkable 75-point turnaround to set up the 18.8 (116) to 16.8 (104) win.
Now sitting 8th on a log-jammed ladder, the GIANTS have a chance to boost their top four aspirations in what looms as a danger game against the bottom-placed Tigers.
Several GIANTS will take strong form into Sunday’s clash with the Tigers after starring performances against Carlton, with Jesse Hogan (five goals, six contested marks) and Kieren Briggs (22 disposals, 10 clearances, 40 hit-outs) both colossal in the win.
The Opposition
The Tigers enter Sunday’s clash sitting 18th on the AFL ladder for the first time in the club’s history following their 51-point loss to the Dockers in Perth last week.
Richmond fought hard but were outmatched by the Dockers who handed the Tigers their third straight loss by 48 points or more in a tough stretch for the yellow and black.
Locked in a battle with the Kangaroos to avoid the wooden spoon, the Tigers will be hoping the Tiger Army can help them register an upset win over the GIANTS at the ‘G on Sunday.
Recent History
The Tigers will welcome the GIANTS to town with a favourable record against the Orange Tsunami, with Richmond having won three of the last four matches between the sides.
In the most recent encounter – held at ENGIE Stadium in round 12 last year – the GIANTS overcame an early five-goal deficit to hit the lead late in the final term before Marlion Pickett kicked a match-winning goal with 24 seconds left to give Richmond a thrilling 16.14 (110) to 15.14 (104) victory.
Key Match-Up: From Friends to Foes
Sunday’s match-up will see the GIANTS’ midfield do battle with a pair of familiar faces in former GIANTS duo Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper.
The former Kevin Sheedy Medallist (Taranto) and GIANTS Rising Star winner (Hopper) will face their old side in strong form, with the pair combining for 52 touches, 11 tackles and nine clearances in the loss to Fremantle last weekend.
With Tigers ruckman Toby Nankervis (26 touches, seven tackles, 36 hit-outs, 11 clearances and a goal) also having a monster game last weekend, the GIANTS midfield will have their work cut out for them if they’re to tame the Tigers on Sunday.
The strong form of the GIANTS’ onball brigade makes for a mouthwatering match-up on Sunday, with ruckman Kieren Briggs putting in one of his best ever performances last week ahead of the clash with Nankervis, while the likes of Tom Green, Stephen Coniglio, Finn Callaghan, Callan Ward, and Isaac Cumming are all in strong form.
GIANTS Player to Watch: Darcy Jones
Fresh off his AFL Telstra Rising Star nomination, Darcy Jones will look to showcase his immense talent once again on Sunday in what will be the youngster’s first AFL game at the MCG.
Returning to the side last week with a dazzling performance against the Blues, Jones finished just his fifth AFL game with 18 touches, a goal, seven score involvements, four marks, four inside-50s and several brilliant defensive efforts to continue the impressive start to his AFL career.
Proving to be a headache for opposition defenders, the speedy 20-year-old will be hoping his pressure and creativity with the ball can help the Orange Tsunami surge to a win over the Tigers.
In the Mix
Dashing defender Lachie Ash is expected to return for Sunday’s clash if he can get through Friday’s main training session after being a late out for last week’s win over the Blues with a corked calf.
Jacob Wehr, Nick Haynes, Xavier O’Halloran, Ryan Angwin and Callum Brown headline a host of names that will come into consideration following strong VFL performances.
Team Selection
The GIANTS will name their squad to take on Richmond 6:20pm on Thursday and then the final team at 5pm on Friday at gwsgiants.com.au.
Rehab Report
Get a full injury update ahead of Sunday’s match here.
Where to Watch
Saturday’s match will be shown live and free on Channel 7 from 7pm nationally, as well as on Fox Footy and Kayo.
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