Two of the league’s hottest sides face off as the GIANTS and their five-match winning streak is tested against the Lions who have re-gained their roar to win nine straight.
Brisbane Lions v GIANTS
Saturday, August 10 at 1:45pm
Gabba | Yuggera - Toorabul Country
What it means for the GIANTS
The GIANTS (13-7) now sit in the top four following last week’s thrilling two-point win over the Hawks in Canberra, but it won’t get any easier as they head to the Gabba to face the red-hot Lions who have won nine straight games.
Riding their own wave of momentum, the GIANTS will enter the clash with a winning streak of their own having won their last five matches with impressive wins over the Blues, Tigers, Suns, Demons and Hawks to surge into the top four.
Winning both of their last two matches by just two points in a pair of thrilling finishes, the GIANTS’ most recent triumph saw them overcome a 28-point three-quarter-time margin with a sizzling seven-goal final term against the Hawks at Manuka Oval.
The huge comeback win – which was sealed with a brilliant match-winning goal from star midfielder Tom Green – was the GIANTS’ biggest-ever come back from a three-quarter-time deficit.
Aiding the GIANTS’ mission to tame the Lions and hand them their first defeat in over two months on Saturday is the form of superstar forward Jesse Hogan who will enter the clash in career-best form following a five-goal haul against Hawthorn to lead the Coleman Medal.
The Opposition
The Lions have found their roar over the last two months to turn what looked like a disappointing season into one full of promise as they look to go one better than last year’s grand final defeat.
After languishing near the bottom of the table following a 2-5 start to the season, the Lions now sit second on the ladder following nine-straight wins in a blistering run of form.
Almost written off after round six, last year’s runners-up could remarkably find themselves on top of the table if they’re to beat the GIANTS on Saturday and the Swans were to lose to Collingwood on Friday night.
With Lachie Neale in contention for a third Brownlow Medal and their forward line firing on all cylinders, the resurgent Lions will be looking to make it 10 straight wins on Saturday while atoning for their big loss to the GIANTS in Canberra on ANZAC Day earlier this year.
Recent History
Recent history between the sides falls heavily in favour of the Lions who hold a 4-1 advantage in the last five meetings despite the heavy ANZAC DAY loss to the GIANTS in round seven.
After just eight points separated the sides at half-time, the GIANTS stormed home in round seven with nine of the final 11 goals to hand the Lions a 54-point loss - their biggest of the season.
The last time the sides faced off at the Gabba it was the home side who registered a 14-point win over the GIANTS in round 11, 2022.
Key Match-Up: Hogan v Harris
Saturday’s match-up could see two of the competition’s best players go head-to-head in a mouthwatering match-up between hulking forward Jesse Hogan and Lions’ co-captain Harris Andrews.
Both firmly in All-Australian contention following stellar seasons, a potential battle between the league’s hottest forward and one of its best key defenders is worth the price of admission alone.
With another five goals to his name in a best-on-ground display in the win over the Hawks last week, Hogan enters the clash with the Lions in rare form which has him now holding a two-goal lead in the Coleman Medal with three rounds remaining.
Hogan has now kicked bags of five, four, four, four and five in his last five games to be a driving force in the GIANTS’ surge to the top four.
With Andrews himself in the midst of a stellar campaign and pushing for a third All-Australian blazer, his ability to curtail the hulking Hogan on Saturday would go a long way to the Lions winning their tenth straight game.
GIANTS Player to Watch: Brent Daniels
Brent Daniels continues to be a key ingredient of the Orange Tsunami and will be crucial to the GIANTS’ chances of taming the Lions at the Gabba on Saturday.
The dynamic small forward will enter the clash following a stunning final-quarter performance in the big comeback win over the Hawks last week.
Down by 28 at the final change and needing a spark, Daniels [along with skipper Toby Greene] was moved into the midfield for the final term where he had a profound impact on the GIANT result.
Daniels was seemingly everywhere in a blistering final term to finish with 12 touches, a goal, three tackles, two goals assists and 303 metres gained.
Daniels’ creativity with the ball and his intense pressure on the opposition will again be critical to the GIANTS in their bid to take down the Lions on the road on Saturday.
In the Mix
In a huge boost for the GIANTS, star midfielder Josh Kelly has been cleared to return for the top four clash against the Lions.
Fellow vice-captain Stephen Coniglio is also a chance to return if he can get through training on Thursday.
Others to push their AFL claims are Nick Haynes and Conor Stone, who starred in the VFL last week.
Team Selection
The GIANTS will name their team to take on the Lions 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 Seven in NSW, the ACT and Queensland from 1:30pm as well as live on Fox Footy and Kayo nationally.
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