The GIANTS kickstart a condensed fixture with a Thursday night clash under lights in Melbourne against the Demons.
Match Information:
Melbourne Demons v GIANTS
Thursday, October 3 at 7:15pm
IKON Park | Wurundjeri Country
State of Play:
The GIANTS have entered the busiest part of their schedule as they play their second game of four across a 15-day span.
The GIANTS will enter Thursday’s clash with the Demons hoping to turn their patchy form into four points after coming up short in recent weeks despite several strong performances.
Sitting with one win and a draw from their first five matches, the GIANTS have been in every game this season and have only lost their last three games by a combined total of just 38 points.
In their most recent outing the GIANTS led most key statistics against the Eagles at Henson Park on Sunday but were unable to capitalise on the scoreboard as the visitors registered a 24-point victory.
The GIANTS finished the match leading disposals (+53), inside 50s (+7), uncontested possession (+65) and marks (+16) but managed just six goals from their 39 inside 50s compared to the Eagles’ 10 goals from 32 entries.
If they can find better connection going inside 50 on Thursday night then the GIANTS will give themselves every chance of taking down the Demons on their home turf.
The GIANTS will be hoping several of their prime movers can continue their strong seasons on Thursday, with Alyce Parker (23 touches, seven tackles) and Bec Beeson (22 touches, seven tackles) strong in the middle against the Eagles, while Tarni Evans (three goals) and Izzy Huntington (21 touches, 11 marks) starred at opposite ends of the ground.
The Opposition:
The Demons will welcome the GIANTS to town looking to rebound from a tough start to a season decimated by injury.
Already missing Tayla Harris (shoulder), Eden Zanker (knee), Lauren Pearce (wrist) and Olivia Purcell (face), the Demons injury woes worsened in Friday’s loss to the Bombers as Shelley Heath was forced from the ground with a shoulder injury.
The fresh injury added to a tough day for the Demons who were blown apart by the Bombers to the tune of 65 points at Windy Hill on Friday night.
Scoreless across the first quarter, the Demons were held to their lowest-ever score as the Bombers registered a huge 11.6 (72) to 1.1 (7) win.
Sitting at 1-4 on the season, the Demons will be hoping their strong form against the GIANTS in recent seasons can continue on Thursday.
Recent History:
History hasn’t been kind to the GIANTS against the Demons, with the red and blue winning the last five matches between the sides.
While the GIANTS won the first-ever meeting between the sides by five points back in the AFLW’s inaugural season in 2017, the Demons have won each encounter since.
In the most recent clash in round two last year, the Demons were far too good in Canberra, registering a 77-point win at Manuka Oval.
Demons skipper Kate Hore was instrumental in the win, finishing with 23 disposals and five goals in a dominant display.
In The Mix:
The GIANTS will be forced to make at least one change for Thursday’s clash, with newcomer Aliesha Newman ruled out with a knee soreness for the next two games after she aggravated a pre-existing knee injury in the loss to the Eagles last weekend.
Courtney Murphy, Caitlin Miller, and Meghan Gaffney are the leading contenders to come into the side after being listed as emergencies last week.
Team Selection:
The GIANTS will name their team to take on the Demons at 6:20pm on Wednesday at gwsgiants.com.au.
Rehab Report:
Get a full injury update ahead of Thursday’s clash here.
Where to Watch:
The GIANTS’ round six clash with the Demons will be shown live on Fox Footy and Kayo nationally and on 7Mate in NSW and the ACT from 7pm on Thursday.
Social Media:
Follow the GIANTS on Instagram at @GWSGIANTSAFLW, and be part of the #BigBigSound in 2024!
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