The GIANTS will get their first taste of AFL Women's finals action on Saturday when they take on the Melbourne Demons in a Semi-Final at GIANTS Stadium.
After missing finals in their previous three seasons, the GIANTS have been rewarded for their efforts in 2020 where they won a club record four games including the final two of the home and away season.
The Details
GIANTS v Melbourne Demons
Saturday, March 21 at 2:40pm AEDT
GIANTS Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park
The Game
When it comes to this Semi-Final, it is do or die for both sides, there are no second chances in this AFLW finals series.
The GIANTS come into the game after back-to-back wins, including a vital win over reigning premiers Adelaide last Sunday. Melbourne, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back from a last start loss to fellow Conference B finalists Carlton. The Demons are far from out of form though, having demolished newcomers West Coast by 59 points in round five.
"Our thoughts, well wishes and love are with everyone in the wider community."
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) March 17, 2020
Captain @AliciaEva2 has a message for all GIANTS, @aflwomens and @AFL fans ?? #NeverSurrender pic.twitter.com/YeUXam2KgM
Melbourne has also recorded wins over Collingwood and North Melbourne, sides that also make up the top four of Conference B. The GIANTS have only beaten one side that has made finals this year, coming in round one against expansion side Gold Coast.
The GIANTS and Melbourne last met in round five, 2019 at Blacktown International Sportspark with the Demons winners by 39 points. The GIANTS have had success against Melbourne, recording the club’s first AFLW win against the highly fancied Demons in round five, 2017.
The Points
1. Cora Staunton did something last week that no other GIANTS forward has done. Her two goals in the win over Adelaide was the best follow up to a haul of three or more goals by a GIANT. Should Staunton kick just one goal against Melbourne, she will break the record for most goals kicked in a season by a GIANT, bettering the seven kicked by Pheobe McWilliams (in 2017 and 2018) and Christina Bernardi (2019).
2. The GIANTS will need to be mindful of Karen Paxman’s influence on the game. The 31-year-old if fifth in the competition for disposals, averaging 21.5 disposals per game in 2020. Paxman also ranks equal-sixth in the competition for metres gained, averaging 352 metres per match.
3.The ruck battle will be an intriguing one. While the GIANTS will be hoping that Jess Allan will be available to ruck alongside Erin McKinnon on Saturday, the duo will be up against Eden Zanker and Harriet Cordner from Melbourne. While Zanker and Cordner aren’t overly dominant in the ruck they have a huge impact at ground level especially Zanker. Zanker averages 10 disposals per game and has kicked four goals in six games.
Who to Watch
It’s hard to separate which of the housemates to choose: Cora Staunton or Alyce Parker. While they have both featured in this segment this season, they are both coming into the Semi-Final in career-best form. Staunton has kicked six goals in her past two games while Parker has put in back-to-back best on ground performances with her 30 disposals against the Crows a personal best. If both GIANTS can hit their straps on Saturday, the GIANTS will be hard to stop.
How to Watch
The match will be broadcast live on the Seven network in NSW and the ACT, and can be watched on Foxtel or the Kayo App with a subscription. All AFL Women’s matches are streamed live via womens.afl and the AFLW Official App.
