Can the GIANTS produce a similar performance to their dominant round one display as they return to Manuka Oval to host the winless Gold Coast Suns on Sunday afternoon.
Match Information:
GIANTS v Suns
Sunday, September 15 at 5:05pm
Manuka Oval | Ngunnawal Country
State of Play:
The orange tsunami will return to Manuka Oval this Sunday wanting to replicate their efforts from their round one performance at the same venue just a fortnight ago.
The GIANTS opened their 2024 campaign in the nation’s capital with an impressive 65-point victory over the Bulldogs, recording the club’s biggest-ever AFLW win and biggest-ever AFLW score.
The GIANTS were hopeful of breaking a third record when they travelled to Melbourne to face the Tigers last weekend, as they searched for back-to-back wins for the first time since 2021.
It wasn’t to be for the GIANTS, as a slow start proved too costly against a determined Tigers outfit.
Trailing by 29 points at half-time, the GIANTS launched a brave fightback, dominating the second half and kicking three straight goals to give themselves an outside chance of pinching victory.
Cam Bernasconi unveiled his fifth GIANTS debutant of the season against the Tigers, with tall forward Courtney Murphy making her AFLW debut.
Murphy – a former member of the Brisbane Lions – replaced Jess Doyle who was a late out with illness ahead of the game.
The 24-year-old joins Kaitlyn Srhoj and Eilish O’Dowd as AFLW debutants this season, alongside Mikayla Pauga and Clare Ransom as club debutants.
The Opposition:
The Suns will travel to Manuka Oval in search of a maiden win for season 2024 as they join the Pies and Bulldogs as the only winless teams heading into round three of the competition.
They’ll enter Sunday’s fixture full of determination after they were snatched of victory in dramatic scenes in the dying seconds of last weekend’s match against the Blues in Mackay.
After back-to-back home games to start the season, the Suns will travel for the first time this weekend.
Recent History:
The two teams have faced off every season since the Suns entered the competition in season 2020.
The GIANTS lead the head-to-head 5-1, with the Suns recording their first victory in the most recent encounter, in round nine last year.
The Suns were dominant under the bright lights of People First Stadium in the Friday night fixture, producing a 31-point victory to keep their finals hopes alive.
After the scores were level at quarter-time, the Suns edged away through weight of possession. They won the disposal count (279-186), clearances (35-23) and inside 50s (35-25) and were just a little too classy as the GIANTS struggled to convert forward of the centre.
In the Mix:
Medium forward Jess Doyle was a late out on Sunday morning with illness and remains a test ahead of selection on Thursday evening.
The medium forward played all 10 games in season 2023 so is sure to be a topic of conversation at the selection table should she be deemed available.
Caitlin Miller and newcomer Aliesha Newman have been emergencies in recent weeks and will be pushing for their first game of season 2024.
Team Selection:
The GIANTS will name their squad for round three at 6:20pm on Thursday and their final team at 5pm on Friday at gwsgiants.com.au.
Rehab Report:
Get a full injury update ahead of Sunday’s clash here.
Where to Watch:
The GIANTS’ round three clash with the Suns will be shown live on Fox Footy and Kayo nationally and on 7Mate in NSW and the ACT from 5pm on Sunday.
Social Media:
Follow the GIANTS on Instagram at @GWSGIANTSAFLW, and be part of the #BigBigSound in 2024!
