The GIANTS and the Crows meet in what is shaping as the match of the round on Sunday afternoon at Blacktown International SportsPark.
Both sides are inspired off the back of wins in round three, with the GIANTS grinding out a tough 13-point win over Collingwood and the Crows getting over the line by seven points against the Western Bulldogs.
It was the GAINTS’ first ever interstate win and they looked a completely different side from the one that was humbled by Carlton in round two.
They posted their highest ever score (7.6.48) thanks to a strong finish in the final term. Their five straight goals were not only their highest scoring last quarter, but their highest scoring quarter ever.
The GIANTS’ job against Adelaide will be made a lot easier if forward Phoebe McWilliams continues her rich vein of form.
McWilliams is the AFLW’s leading goalkicker with six goals and despite not having a huge impact in the first half against Collingwood, kicked two crucial second-half goals including a clutch goal in the dying stages to seal the win.
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The GIANTS will need to be wary of reigning AFLW Best and Fairest Erin Phillips who – in her first game back from injury – almost singlehandedly won her side the game, kicking four goals and collecting 15 disposals.
Chelsea Randall and Ebony Marinoff could also cause the GIANTS some headaches with the duo averaging 19.7 and 18.7 possessions per game respectively.
Adelaide will need to be equally wary of the GIANTS’ veteran midfielder Courtney Gum, who has been in sensational form of late; the 36-year-old kicked two goals in the final term to help the GIANTS to their maiden win.
GIANTS vice-captain Alicia Eva could get some attention from Adelaide’s taggers after collecting a club-record 23 disposals against her former club. Eva is averaging 18 disposals per game so far in 2018.
WHEN AND WHERE: Sunday, February 25 4.35PM (EST) at Blacktown International Sportspark, Sydney.
TV AND RADIO: Click Here
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 1 - Saturday, February 4, 2017 at Thebarton Oval.
GIANTS 1.6 (12)
Adelaide 7.6 (48)
Goals: McWilliams 1.
THE FIVE POINTS
- Phoebe McWilliams kicked seven goals in her seven games in 2017. In three games in 2018, McWilliams has kicked six goals and is the competition’s leading goalkicker. Last time the two teams met McWilliams kicked the GIANTS only – and their first ever – goal.
- Erin Phillips’ haul of four goals saw her move straight to equal fifth on the goalkickers tally. Last time the two sides met Phillips burst onto the AFLW stage kicking three goals in a best on ground performance.
- GIANTS vice-captain Alicia Eva is equal seventh in the competition for overall disposals. Her 23 touches, including 20 kicks in the GIANTS’ win over Collingwood was the most ever in a game by a GIANT, breaking the previous record of 19 disposals, jointly held by Jess Dal Pos and Emma Swanson.
- The GIANTS win over Collingwood broke a number of records, biggest win (13 points), highest scoring second quarter (17 points), highest scoring fourth quarter (30 points), highest score in a game (48 points) and most disposals by a player in a game (23 by Alicia Eva).
- Irish import Cora Staunton is due for a big game. You can just feel it. The tough forward kicked three behinds and was dominant at times during the GIANTS win over Collingwood but couldn’t convert her chances. A broken nose hampered her efforts after half time but statistically this season she’s had a bigger scoring impact than established stars Tayla Harris and Sabrina Frederick-Traub.
