After a big win to open the season, the GIANTS are raring to go ahead of the match against Richmond at Wagga Wagga’s Robertson Oval.
It will be the GIANTS’ first game at the venue since the pre-season of 2014, and there are plenty of exciting young guns pushing their case for selection in the Opening Round on March 21.
The Details
GIANTS v Tigers
Sunday, March 8 at 12.40pm AEDT
Robertson Oval, Wagga Wagga
Tickets: www.ticketek.com.au
The Game
Last year’s Grand Finalists are coming off very different opening Marsh Community Series matches. While the Tigers went down to Collingwood by 40 points, an impressive GIANTS line-up – missing eight of its best players but featuring exciting emerging stars – downed the Swans to the tune of 94 points at Blacktown.
While pre-season gives teams the chance to expose fringe and younger players to the top level, it’s also the best chance to build good form heading into the Opening Round, and the GIANTS will be keen to harness the positivity from their start.
An understrength Tigers outfit could muster up just six goals against the Magpies, while the GIANTS booted an encouraging 19 goals and just seven behinds, led by the returning Zac Langdon, who contributed five majors.
With last week’s State of Origin stars returning to the fold for Wagga, the GIANTS will have a big boost to complement what was already a very strong team as preparations ramp up for March 21’s double-header.
The Young Guns
When it comes to first impressions, Tom Green nailed it against the Swans. The 19-year-old didn’t take long to settle into the pace and physically of AFL football, racking up 21 disposals and booting two goals.
Fellow 2019 first-round pick Lachie Ash settled in across half-back, collecting 19 disposals and taking five marks, while second-year GIANT Jackson Hately (25 disposals, one goal) was strong through a variety of roles.
The Returning Experience
As far as inclusions go, the GIANTS have some very handy names in line to return this week.
Stars Stephen Coniglio, Jeremy Cameron, Nick Haynes, Lachie Whitfield, Josh Kelly and Toby Greene missed last week’s clash with the Swans while they were on State of Origin duties, and will be eager to line up in the GIANTS kit for the first time in 2020.
The Tigers are also expected to welcome six Premiership stars who took part in the fundraiser match last week.
Captain Cogs
Speaking of Coniglio, Sunday’s clash against Richmond will be his first for the GIANTS since being appointed captain.
After missing the back-end of last season, the new skipper has put in an impressive summer on the track and was brilliant for the All-Stars in the State of Origin match. A fit and firing Coniglio is a nightmare for any opposition, so he’ll be keen for a strong start for the GIANTS.
The Key Points
- It may be touted as a ‘Grand Final rematch’ by some in the media, but expect very different looking sides for the GIANTS and Tigers to those that lined up in September last year. While a host of big-name stars will be on the park, there will also be plenty of younger players keen to make their mark on the game with Opening Round selection just a fortnight away.
- Keep an eye on the ruck battle as GIANTS recruit Sam Jacobs continues to settle into his new team. The 201-gamer was impressive in his first outing as a GIANT, collecting 23 hitouts as he shared duties with emerging ruck Kieren Briggs (13). The pair also collected a couple of clearances each as the GIANTS beat the Swans in that stat 48-37. For the Tigers, Ivan Soldo had the most hitouts of anyone on the ground (26) against the Magpies, teaming up with Callum Coleman-Jones (nine)
- The GIANTS’ efficiency inside 50 was on point in Marsh 1. The GIANTS had 64 inside 50s to the Swans’ 45, and had an efficiency of 52 per cent. Their 19.7 scoreline is exactly the type of conversion rate the fans want to see. The Tigers meanwhile were operating at a 33 per cent efficiency inside 50 against Collingwood, with a return of 6.8 from their 51 entries.
Who to Watch
Jacob Hopper picked up right where he left off last season with another great performance in the midfield.
The tough inside mid – who finished third in the 2019 Kevin Sheedy Medal – racked up 28 disposals, nine contested possessions, six score involvements, six clearances, four tackles and kicked a goal as he ran riot against the Swans. With the 23-year old growing up just down the road in Leeton, expect to see a strong contingent of Hopper fans at Wagga Wagga.
How to Watch
The match will be broadcast live on Fox Footy, and can be streamed through Kayo or viewed on the AFL App or website with an AFL Live Pass subscription.
If you’re heading to the game, remember that 2020 GIANTS game access members get free general admission entry (subject to capacity). Members can upgrade to a guaranteed ticket for just $5 in adults.
Public tickets and member upgrades can be purchased from ticketek.com.au.
