Red-hot GIANT streak continues
It may have been a tight and, at times, scrappy match of footy, but the ‘orange wave’ continues to roll in. The GIANTS have now won seven of their last eight, have five wins from seven at Spotless, since round 11 are the equal-best team in the competition and have now marched their way into the top four, at least until Sunday. It’s been a turbulent ride for the GIANTS fans this season, but with the Blues, Crows, Swans and Dees in front of them on the road to finals, could the wave threaten to burst into an ‘orange tsunami’ and set the competition awash?

Ex-GIANT Steeles the limelight on Ward’s big night
It was meant to be Callan Ward’s match. The first-ever GIANT to notch 150 games, just the second-ever life member after Kevin Sheedy, and the first-ever playing life member of the club. An evening to remember was begging to be seized by the GIANTS' co-captain, but it was a former teammate who managed to steal (or Steele?) the limelight. Ex-GIANT Jack Steele kept Ward very quiet early on, limiting him to just 11 disposals by three-quarter time and 20 for the match, and otherwise taking some of the air out of Ward’s big occasion. It was the other way round, however, for former Saint Lenny Hayes. The now midfield coach for the GIANTS saw his charges dominant in the second half of the match to power his new team home to victory.

St Kilda’s accuracy costs it again
The Saints will be kicking themselves after a lack of precision robbed them of some important early momentum in the 25-point loss to the GIANTS. Their set shot scoring accuracy is the lowest of any side in the AFL and well below the league average. After a first half where the Saints dominated the footy and the GIANTS conceded 40 inside 50s, a 3.10 score line for the visitors showed what could have been had St Kilda been a little more clinical in front of the sticks. Goalkicking coach Ben Dickson will be wondering how he can arrest this alarming funk.

Daniels' Delight

It was forth time lucky for GIANTS small forward Brent Daniels. The GIANTS' second pick of the 2017 NAB AFL Draft has been impressive since debuting against West Coast in round 16 but hadn't managed to kick a goal. A downfield free kick in the second quarter saw the diminutive forward having a set shot from 45 metres out on a 45-degree angle. Daniels kicked truly and was mobbed by his teammates. Daniels' wasn't done either. In the opening minute of the third quarter Josh Kelly shot a quick handball to Daniels who snapped truly from 30 metres out. After the game GIANTS coach Leon Cameron complimented Daniels' past month of football, saying while his forward pressure had been part of the GIANTS form resurgence.