The GIANTS and Collingwood will both be looking to keep their AFLW Grand Final hopes alive when they meet at Olympic Park Oval in Melbourne on Sunday afternoon.
Both sides are yet to record a win in 2018 with the GIANTS going down to Carlton last Friday by 21 points while the Magpies lost by 13 points to Fremantle.
The GIANTS may be without important inside midfielder Britt Tully who injured her left shoulder during the game at Drummoyne Oval, while Collingwood will be sweating on the fitness of defender Stacey Livingstone (shoulder) and forward Sophie Casey (concussion).
If Casey was to be ruled out of Sunday afternoon’s game, it could pave the way for enigmatic forward, Moana Hope, to return after being dropped for the clash with Fremantle.
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The Magpies’ leading goalkicker in 2017, Hope collected just five disposals in round one and didn’t trouble the scorers.
Meanwhile GIANT Phoebe McWilliams will be looking to continue her good form, with the forward the competition’s equal leading goalkicker this year.
McWilliams kicked the GIANTS’ only goal last Friday night but was also reprimanded for rough contact against Calrton’s Reni Hicks by the Match Review Panel on Monday.
Former Collingwood vice-captain, turned GIANTS vice-captain, Alicia Eva could be in for a hostile reception, with the midfielder returning to face her former club for the first time.
Eva has been in great form for the GIANTS, averaging 15.5 disposals per game so far in 2018.
The GIANTS don’t have fond memories of their last clash with Collingwood at Olympic Park Oval. The visitors lost by 36 points, the club’s biggest losing margin in AFLW history.
WHEN AND WHERE: Sunday, February 18 4.35PM (EST) at Olympic Park Oval, Melbourne.
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LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 6 - Sunday, March 12, 2017 at Olympic Park Oval.
GIANTS 3.1 (19)
Collingwood 7.13 (55)
Goals: McWilliams 2; Beeson 1.
THE FIVE POINTS
1. Phoebe McWilliams will again be one to watch when the two sides meet on Sunday. The strong marking forward didn’t have the best game in the wet against Carlton last week, but kicked the GIANTS’ only goal to continue her strong scoring form. McWilliams bagged two goals last time the two teams met and will be looking to do the same again at Olympic Park Oval.
2. Overlooked for the inaugural season, midfielder Courtney Gum is making the most of her chance at the GIANTS. The 36-year-old is averaging 16.5 disposals per game, ranking her equal 13th in the competition.
3. The GIANTS have been incredible when it comes to tackling pressure in 2018. They are second in the competition for overall tackles averaging 72.5 per game and average 9.5 more tackles per game than Collingwood.
4. It will be worth keeping an eye on the free kick count during the game as we see the two worst offenders for free kicks against clashing. Collingwood average 20.5 free kicks against so far in 2018, while the GIATNS are close second with 19.5. However, a positive for the GIANTS is that they are averaging 18.5 free kicks for per game (second highest in the competition), compared to the Magpies’ 11 per game (the second lowest in the competition).
5. Erin McKinnon’s development in 2018 has been one of the highlights for the GIANTS so far this season. The 19-year-old leads the competition for hit-outs, averaging 22.5 per game and also averages 6.5 disposals per game, and 2.5 tackles per game. In 2017 she averaged just 3.3 disposals and 1.3 tackles. McKinnon comes up against reigning All Australian Emma King who has been down on form so far this year. After averaging 28.4 hit-outs per game in 2017, King has managed to win just 25 hit-outs in her two games this year. If McKinnon can assert her dominance on Sunday, the GIANTS will be in a great position to record their first win of 2018.
