The GIANTS are looking to create history to give themselves a chance at a top two finish in a mouth-watering clash with the Western Bulldogs in Ballarat.
Western Bulldogs v GIANTS
Sunday, August 25 at 12:30pm
Mars Stadium | Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung Country
What it Means for the GIANTS
The Orange Tsunami continues to surge and will enter Sunday’s clash with the Bulldogs riding a club-record seven-match winning streak and looking to register eight straight wins for the first time in GIANTS history.
Last week the GIANTS not only secured a finals spot with a crucial nine-point win over the Dockers, they also a guaranteed top four spot regardless of the results in the final round of the home and away season this weekend.
The GIANTS still have a lot to play for on Sunday however, with a likely
home qualifying final at ENGIE Stadium in the first week of finals up for grabs if they beat the ‘Dogs and Port Adelaide loses to Fremantle at Optus Stadium in the final game of the round.
A GIANTS win and Power loss would secure second spot on the ladder for the GIANTS as long as the Cats don't make up the four percent gap on the GIANTS in their clash with the Eagles at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.
Currently in third, the GIANTS face a variety of week one finals fixtures pending the round 24 results, with a home qualifying final or an away qualifying final against the Swans, Cats or Power all possibilities.
The Opposition
The Bulldogs sit firmly alongside the GIANTS as two of the form teams of the competition but still need a win on Sunday to guarantee a spot in September.
Sitting sixth on the AFL table, the Bulldogs will miss finals if they lose to the GIANTS – and all of Hawthorn (v North Melbourne), Carlton (v St Kilda) and Fremantle (v Port Adelaide) win their final games of the season.
Winners of four of their last five games, the Dogs will enter Sunday’s clash fresh off a clinical 96-point win over the Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium as young gun Sam Darcy kicked a career-best seven goals.
While firing on all cylinders leading into the crucial round 24 clash, the Bulldogs announced they will be without star ruckman Tim English (ankle) for a second straight week on Sunday, with utility Rory Lobb set to be tasked with ruck duties against GIANTS star Kieren Briggs.
Recent History
The Bulldogs have had the wood over the GIANTS in recent times, winning four of the last five clashes between the sides.
In the most recent meeting, in round 10 earlier this year, the Bulldogs beat the GIANTS by 27 points in wet and wild conditions at ENGIE Stadium.
Jesse Hogan (14 disposals, three goals), Toby Greene (17 disposals, three goals) and Tom Green (29 disposals, seven clearances) were strong for the GIANTS, while Adam Treloar (35 disposals) and Ed Richards (27 disposals, 10 clearances) were two of the Bulldogs’ best.
Key Match-Up: Three-headed Monster v Defiant Defence
The Bulldogs possess one of the most potent young forward lines in the competition and on Sunday their battle with the GIANTS’ defiant backline will be worth the price of admission alone.
Spearheaded by three extremely dangerous young key forwards in Aaron Naughton, Sam Darcy and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, the Bulldogs’ tall trio is emerging as one of the AFL’s most lethal attacking weapons.
Last week the trio of Darcy (seven), Ugle-Hagan (three), and Naughton (two) combined for 12 goals against North Melbourne in a dominant display, with dangerous small forward Cody Weightman chiming in with 13 touches and 2.2 of his own.
Led by arguably the competition’s best key defensive duo Sam Taylor and Jack Buckley, and aided by the likes of the versatile Connor Idun and Harry Himmelberg, the GIANTS’ backline - and particularly their key defenders - will need to be at their stingy best on Sunday to restrict the star-studded Dogs forward line as the GIANTS strive for a top two finish.
GIANTS Player to Watch: Brilliant Binga
One of the competition’s most underrated stars, Brent Daniels is slowly getting the league-wide recognition he deserves after another brilliant display in last week’s crucial win over the Dockers.
Vying with spearhead Jesse Hogan (six goals) for best on ground honours, Daniels starred against Fremantle to finish with a crazy stat line of 29 touches, three goals, seven clearances and 13 tackles.
The zippy forward was everywhere in a starring all-round game to help the GIANTS secure a spot in September.
With a potential top two spot up for grabs, Daniels will again be vital to the GIANTS’ winning chances on Sunday as the Orange Tsunami looks to wash away the Bulldogs.
In the Mix
The GIANTS will have to make at least one change for Sunday’s clash, with dashing defender Lachie Ash suspended for one week for rough conduct in the win over the Dockers last week.
Young gun Harvey Thomas will come into consideration after being managed last round, while several GIANTS were strong in the VFL’s final game of the season last week.
Team Selection
The GIANTS will name their squad for round 24 on Thursday at 6:20pm and the final team on Friday at 5pm 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 from 12:30pm in NSW and the ACT, as well as nationally on Fox Footy and Kayo.
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