The GIANTS and Carlton will be looking to claim their first premiership points of the 2019 NAB AFL Women’s season when the two sides meet at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday.
The Alan McConnell led GIANTS have been impressive in both of their matches so far this year, while the Daniel Harford coached Carlton have improved across their two games.
The young Blues were soundly beaten by North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos in round one before responding well against Adelaide at Ikon Park last Sunday.
MATCH DAY INFO: Plan your day out at the football as the GIANTS take on Carlton
Carlton led for most of the clash before a strong last quarter from Adelaide saw the Crows run out winners by 13 points.
There’s a little extra on the line in the third meeting between the two sides with the GIANTS yet to beat the Blues in their two previous encounters.
The GIANTS will be looking to take advantage of their scoring opportunities after kicking 2.11 in their rain-soaked clash with the Kangaroos last Friday night at Drummoyne Oval.
Saturday’s game at Blacktown International Sportspark will be the first meeting of two of the competition’s best young midfielders.
The GIANTS’ Alyce Parker was again impressive last Friday night after securing a NAB Rising Star Nomination in round one, while Carlton’s Maddy Prespakis is averaging 16.5 disposals per game in 2019 after claiming the round two Rising Star Nomination.
Last Two Meetings:
Round 2, 2017 – Carlton 7.5 (47) def. GIANTS 5.4 (34) at Ikon Park
Round 2, 2018 – GIANTS 1.3 (9) def. by Carlton 3.12 (30) at Drummoyne Oval
The Four Points:
- The GIANTS’ Rebecca Beeson had spoken about wanting to spend more time in the midfield during the pre-season and she’s got her wish. The 21-year-old has been the GIANTS’ most dominant midfielder averaging 18 disposals per game in 2019.
- Carlton’s big-name forwards haven’t exactly fired yet in 2019. Darcy Vescio – the competition’s leading goalkicker in 2017 - has kicked just one goal from four scoring shots this season while in her only game so far this season, two time All Australian Taylah Harris has failed to score.
- Are you getting a sense of déjà vu? The GIANTS’ 2019 season is eerily similar to their 2018 season. Last year the GIANTS suffered a close defeat in round one against Melbourne before lightning halted play during a 21-point loss to Carlton at Drummoyne Oval. So far in 2019 they’ve lost a thriller to the Lions in round one and lost to North Melbourne by 25 points after the lights went out at Drummoyne Oval in round two. The GIANTS will be hoping they can repeat their effort of round three, 2018 (a resounding win over Collingwood) this Saturday.
- Speaking of round two, 2018 – that was the last time Carlton recorded a win in the AFL Women’s competition. It’s been over a calendar year since the Blues last tasted success and after a positive performance against the Crows, they’ll no doubt be hungrier than ever.
