A top-four spot remains the goal as the GIANTS aim for their fifth win in a row in a huge clash with the high-flying Hawks in Canberra.
AFL Round 21
GIANTS v Hawks
Sunday, August 4 at 1:10pm
Manuka Oval | Ngunnawal Country
What it means for the GIANTS
The GIANTS (12-7) have re-gained their mojo with four straight wins to put themselves firmly in the hunt for a top-four spot with just four rounds remaining.
Currently sitting fifth with just percentage keeping them below Carlton in fourth, a win for the GIANTS on Sunday could have them sitting inside the top four at the conclusion of the round, while a loss to the Hawks could have them sitting as low as ninth.
Returning to Manuka Oval, where the side is two from two this season with wins over the Saints and the Lions, the GIANTS will be looking to avenge a six-point loss to the Hawks in Tasmania eight weeks ago.
The GIANTS will enter Sunday’s clash following a gutsy two-point win over the Demons where they overcame a 27-point quarter-time deficit by kicking 12 of the next 15 goals to set up the 13.7 (85) to 12.11 (83) victory.
With matches to follow against the Lions, Dockers and Bulldogs, Sunday’s match against the Hawks is crucial for the GIANTS’ top-four chances.
The Opposition
Hawthorn (11-8) is well and truly in the hunt for their first finals campaign in six years after a remarkable turnaround in form to sit only percentage outside eighth spot with a month to play.
Since starting the season with five straight losses, the Hawks have recorded the second-best record in the AFL since (11-3) in a remarkable mid-season resurgence.
Hawthorn will enter Sunday’s clash full of confidence having beaten the GIANTS earlier this season and following impressive wins over Collingwood and Adelaide in the past two weeks.
Recent History
The GIANTS have won three of the last four meetings between the sides but it was the Hawks who claimed victory in the most recent clash, registering a thrilling six-point win in Launceston in round 13.
In a dramatic back and forth final term, scores were deadlocked at 79 apiece before a Luke Breust goal from a down field free kick with a minute to play gave Hawthorn the win.
Meanwhile, the last time the sides faced off at Manuka Oval was back in round 21, 2019, where it was the Hawks who registered an impressive 56-point win.
Key Match-Up: Battle of the Mosquito Fleets
Sunday’s match-up will see two of the AFL’s most dynamic forward lines strut their stuff.
While the GIANTS are spearheaded by superstar Jesse Hogan, a key to their success and that of the Hawks is their plethora of damaging small forwards.
With the likes of Brent Daniels, Darcy Jones, Toby Bedford and superstar skipper Toby Greene at their disposal, containing the GIANTS’ small forward brigade is no easy feat for any opposition backline.
Another of the league’s most lethal mosquito fleets will be on show at Manuka Oval on Sunday, with Hawthorn possessing the likes of Dylan Moore, Luke Breust, Jack Ginnivan and Nick Watson who have all played crucial roles in the Hawks’ brilliant run.
In a match-up of two of the hottest teams in the competition, whichever side can contain the opposition’s talented small forwards will go a long way to victory in the nation’s capital.
GIANTS Player to Watch:
Despite being in his 12th season and already having won two Kevin Sheedy Medals and an All-Australian blazer, Lachie Whitfield is experiencing arguably his best season yet.
Ranking elite in the AFL in disposals per game (30.5), kicks (19.6), handballs (10.9), marks (7.2), and metres gained (502.8m), Whitfield’s name is firmly in All-Australian discussions once again.
Currently in career-best form, the 30-year-old has taken his game to an even greater level in recent weeks, averaging 36.2 touchers per game across the last five games, with possession totals of 41, 30, 35, 40, and 35 in a red-hot run of form.
In the Mix
With Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly not ready to return just yet, any inclusions for Sunday’s match will come from the club’s VFL win last week, with Max Gruzewski, Conor Stone and Nick Haynes leading the way.
Team Selection
The GIANTS will name their squad to take on the Hawks at 6:20pm on Thursday and 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
Sunday’s match will be shown live and free on Channel Seven in NSW and the ACT from 1pm as well as live on Fox Footy and Kayo nationally.
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