Where and when: GIANTS Stadium, Friday June 26, 7.50pm AEST
Last time they met: was at the MCG, in a preliminary final last September. And for obvious reasons, the win is the most famous one in the GIANTS’ short history. On a wet Saturday evening in Melbourne the GIANTS kicked five goals during the third term – then another at the start of the fourth – to stretch their lead out to 33 points. From there they held on – desperately – as Collingwood scored four in a row to inch closer and closer. With Stephen Coniglio missing, Toby Greene suspended, Lachie Whitfield recuperating at home after appendix surgery and Phil Davis hobbling around bravely on one leg, the GIANTS won by four points after several stressful minutes and what felt like one million stoppages, making the Grand Final for the first time ever. Nick Haynes and Sam Taylor played huge games in defence, Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper and Josh Kelly did some tough work through the middle and there were big moments galore, none better than Shane Mumford’s sidestep in the defensive goal square late in the game.
TV and online: https://www.afl.com.au/broadcast-guide-premiership
What it means for the GIANTS: After two disappointing losses since the competition restarted, suddenly the first-round win over Geelong feels a very long time ago. With two games to go in this first four-week block of the resumed season, this is a chance to find some form, get back to what the team does well, take on an in-form opponent in the Pies and get back to level pegging.
Where’s the opposition at? After a round-two draw with Richmond the Pies were comprehensive winners over St Kilda in round three, notching a 44-point victory in Melbourne last Saturday; despite having just six more inside-50s they made more of their chances while keeping the Saints to five goals. Steele Sidebottom led the way with 31 possessions, six tackles and a goal, while ruckman Brodie Grundy set the tone with 12 contested possessions. The Pies shared the goals around, with Jaidyn Stephenson, Jamie Elliott, Brody Mihocek, Tyler Brown and Taylor Adams kicking two each.
The stat: Five players have lined up for both GWS and Collingwood over time, with Lachie Keeffe the most recent addition to the list behind Heath Shaw, Taylor Adams, Adam Treloar and Will Hoskin-Elliott. Keeffe is yet to feature in the AFL line-up this year but was an important part of the preliminary final side and unlucky to miss out on Grand Final Day.
In the mix: Toby Greene and Josh Kelly look likely to return to the GIANTS line-up after missing last week’s loss to the Bulldogs with knee and calf soreness. Lachie Whitfield and Brent Daniels will be monitored after receiving head knocks in that game. Tim Taranto is inching closer to a return from his pre-season shoulder reconstruction, with Sam Reid (calf), Tom Hutchesson (hamstring) still stuck on the sidelines. Adam Kennedy, Tom Green, Bobby Hill and Mumford are among the potential inclusions should the coaches choose to shake things up after last week’s loss.
In the spotlight: Harry Perryman’s position atop the Coleman Medal - he's kicked eight goals for the season so far - is not one he would have expected to find himself in. But after an impressive 2019 he has made a strong start to the new season. The 21-year-old is averaging 18 possessions – up on his career average of 16 - and was one of the better performed GIANTS in the loss to the Dogs.
