The GIANTS have a long and proud history in Canberra, with some of the club’s most historic moments occurring in the nation’s capital - including the club’s first-ever win.

As we prepare to embark on our third AFL game of the season in Canberra on Sunday with an exciting clash with the Hawks, here is a snapshot of our special connection with the nation’s capital as Manuka Oval celebrates its 100^th birthday.

FIRST GAME IN THE NATION’S CAPITAL

The GIANTS’ first game in Canberra came way back in 2012, just five games into the club’s existence, with a round five clash with the Western Bulldogs at Manuka Oval.

While the GIANTS didn’t get the win, an exciting teenager showed those in Canberra a glimpse into the future, with an 18-year-old by the name of Toby Greene starring with 27 touches in a sign of things to come for the current GIANTS skipper.

INAUGURAL GIANTS WIN

Arguably the club’s most iconic moment in Canberra came in round seven of the 2012 season when the GIANTS beat the Gold Coast Suns to record their very first AFL victory.

Down by four points entering the fourth quarter, the GIANTS kicked four unanswered goals in the final term to register a historic 13.16 (94) to 9.13 (67) victory to sing the big big sound for the first time.

AFLW JOINS THE PARTY 

The GIANTS women’s program added to the club’s special Canberra connection in 2017 when the club’s AFLW side took on the Western Bulldogs at Manuka Oval in round seven of the competition’s inaugural season.

Two current GIANT stars were part of the special occasion, with newly crowned skipper Bec Beeson and inaugural number one pick Nicola Barr both featuring in the clash.

HOMETOWN HEROES

Many GIANTS players over the year have hailed from or spent time in the nation's capital and surrounding areas, including stars Tom Green, Harry Himmelberg, Josh Fahey and inaugural co-captain Phil Davis, as well as current and former AFLW stars Tarni Evans, Emily Pease, Britt Tully, Jessica Allan, Jodie Hicks and Ellie Brush.

CANBERRA’S TEAM

Having firmly established a footprint in Canberra since the club’s inception, the GIANTS announced a landmark long-term partnership extension with the ACT Government in 2022 which will see the GIANTS remain Canberra’s team through to at least 2032.

CANBERRA COMMUNITY

The GIANTS have built a strong and passionate supporter base in Canberra, with now more than 6000 of the club’s members based in the nation’s capital.

The GIANTS have held numerous pre-season community camps and fan days in Canberra across the years, with the AFL and AFLW playing groups giving thousands of school kids, young community footballers, and Auskickers the chance to rub shoulders with their idols.

SELL -OUT CROWDS

Members of the Orange Army based in Canberra continue to show tremendous support for the GIANTS, with numerous sold-out clashes held at Manuka Oval across the years.

The GIANTS have already played two games at Manuka Oval this year, with the clashes against the Saints in round five and Lions in round seven both sell-outs in another sign of the amazing support and relationship built between the GIANTS and Canberra.

Preparing for the club’s third game of the season in Canberra on Sunday against the Hawks, the match is tracking to be another sell-out which would be a new club record for the first time three home AFL games at Manuka Oval in the one season have all been sold out.

BIG CELEBRATION TO COME 

The GIANTS are on track to celebrate a huge milestone in Canberra next year, with the club in line to play its 50^th home and away game at Manuka Oval in 2025. 

The GIANTS’ AFL and AFLW sides have played several blockbuster games in the nation’s capital since our inception back in 2012.

This weekend’s game against the Hawks will be the GIANTS’ AFL side’s 36^th game in Canberra, while the AFLW side will bring up its ninth and tenth games in round one and three of the upcoming season against the Western Bulldogs and the Gold Coast Suns.

GIANTS fans wishing to get tickets to Sunday’s AFL match against the Hawks can purchase directly through Ticketek, click here to secure your seats now.

With limited tickets remaining and standing room now on sale, get in quick to ensure you don’t miss out!

Meanwhile tickets to the upcoming AFLW season are now on sale so don’t miss your chance to see our GIANTS AFLW side in action in the nation’s capital in two huge clashes in round one and round three this season.

Click here to purchase tickets to cheer on our AFLW side at Manuka Oval this AFLW season.