A home Preliminary Final is up for grabs as the GIANTS and the Swans meet in a mouthwatering Sydney Derby Qualifying Final.
Swans v GIANTS
Saturday, September 7 at 3:20pm
SCG | Gadigal
What it Means for the GIANTS
What better way to start the finals series for the GIANTS than by storming the SCG on Saturday looking to take down the cross-town rival and earn a home Preliminary Final.
The Orange Tsunami will surge into Saturday’s mouthwatering Qualifying Final following another strong home and away campaign under second-year coach Adam Kingsley, finishing fourth to earn themselves a double chance.
Winners of seven straight games before a slight hiccup to the Western Bulldogs in the final round of the season, the GIANTS enter September riding a wave of momentum and looking to go one better than last year’s Preliminary Final appearance.
Despite losing both of their earlier two meetings with the Swans this season, history has shown the GIANTS rise to the occasion when it matters most, holding 3-0 record in finals against their cross-town rival.
The GIANTS will celebrate a host of milestones in Saturday’s clash, with Lachie Ash to play his 100thAFL game and Adam Kingsley to coach the club for the 50th time.
Saturday’s final will also be the club’s 300th AFL game since joining the competition in 2012, while Callan Ward and Toby Greene will become the first GIANTS teammates to play 200 games together.
The Opposition
The Swans will host Saturday’s Qualifying Final following a history-breaking campaign to finish atop the AFL ladder.
Winning 14 of their first 15 games to record their best start to a season since 1918, the Swans also won 10 straight games in the middle of the season on their way to being crowned the minor premiers.
After a late-season lull, the Swans enter the finals series back on track riding a three-match winning streak, with successive victories over the Magpies, Bombers and Crows priming them for September.
The Swans could welcome back livewire small forward Tom Papley and midfielder Justin McInerney for Saturday’s final, with the pair looking to return from respective injuries.
Recent History
The GIANTS will be aiming to turn their recent misfortunes against the minor premiers around on Saturday, with the Swans having won both meetings between the sides this year - claiming a 29-point win in round eight at the SCG and a 27-point win at ENGIE Stadium in round 15.
In the most recent meeting between the sides, the Swans kicked 10 straight goals either side of the half-time break to register a 15.12 (102) to 11.9 (75) victory at ENGIE Stadium.
Swan Errol Gulden will be one to watch for the GIANTS on Saturday, with the silky winger having been voted the Brett Kirk Medallist (for best on ground) in each of the last three meetings between the sides.
Key Match-Up: Battle of the Big Men
Saturday’s Qualifying Final will see two of the competition’s most dynamic ruckmen go head-to-head, with the battle between Kieren Briggs and Brodie Grundy set to play a huge factor in who books a ticket to a Preliminary Final.
Having faced off in three fascinating match-ups already this season (a pre-season clash and two home and away fixtures), Briggs and Grundy will add another chapter to a fascinating match-up in Saturday’s highly anticipated final.
Two of the best clearance ruckmen in the competition, who can both impact strongly at ground level as well as in the air, the battle between Briggs and Grundy will play a crucial role in which Sydney side hosts a home Preliminary Final in two weeks' time.
GIANTS Player to Watch: Lachie Whitfield
Dashing defender Lachie Whitfield will enter Saturday’s final following a career-best season which earnt him his second All-Australian blazer last week.
Adding to his selection in the 2018 All-Australian team, Whitfield was rewarded after a brilliant campaign off half-back which saw him finish as the competition’s leading disposal getter.
Further cementing himself as one of the AFL’s most lethal weapons out of defence, Whitfield finished the home and away season ranked elite in the competition for disposals, metres gained, marks and score involvements.
Playing every game of the season, the two-time Kevin Sheedy Medallist – and now two-time All Australian – averaged a career-high 30.9 disposals to go along with 7.3 marks, 5.8 rebound-50s and 4.3 score involvements per game.
Following a 42-possession game against the Bulldogs in round 24, Whitfield is primed for a big finals campaign, beginning against the Swans on Saturday.
In the Mix
The GIANTS could gain some reinforcements for the blockbuster Sydney Derby, with forward duo Brent Daniels (lower back) and Jake Riccardi (finger) in line to return, while dashing defender Lachie Ash will also be available for selection after serving his one-game suspension.
Tagger Toby Bedford (calf) will face a fitness test later in the week in a bid to return, while Conor Stone (illness) is available for selection after being a late withdrawal from the round 24 clash with the Western Bulldogs. Isaac Cumming will also put his hand up for selection after returning from a hamstring injury.
Team Selection
The GIANTS will name their Qualifying Final team on Thursday at 6:20pm at gwsgiants.com.au.
Rehab Report
Get a full injury update ahead of Saturday’s final here.
Where to Watch
Saturday’s match will be shown live and free on Channel Seven nationally from 3pm, as well as on Fox Footy and Kayo.
Be part of the #BigBigSound in 2024 - For all the latest news, follow @GWSGIANTS on social media: Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram
