With the GIANTS to play their first game at Spotless Stadium for 2018 when they take on the Brisbane Lions on Saturday, we’ve taken a look through the GIANTS archives to find some photos of the memorable moments at Spotless Stadium throughout the years. 

The First Game

With expansion works on Spotless Stadium completed, the GIANTS played their first game at their new home in round nine, 2012 against Essendon. While the GIANTS lost by 66-points it was a historic occasion for the club and the competition as it also marked the first-ever AFL game at the stadium which opened in 1998.

The First Win

The GIANTS didn’t have to wait too long to notch up their first win at their new home, with the GIANTS earning all four points with a 34 point win over Port Adelaide in round 19, 2012. The GIANTS celebrated the win by showering coach Kevin Sheedy with Gatorade as it was also Sheedy’s 1000th AFL/VFL game as player or coach.

The First Derby Win

To call the GIANTS’ first Sydney Derby win in 2014 memorable is an understatement. Not only did the GIANTS win in round one for the first time but they beat their cross town rivals the Swans for the first time. The match was played in torrid conditions with lighting strikes over the ground bringing the game to a halt during the second term. After the match re-started the GIANTS got on top with four Jeremy Cameron goals helping the GIANTS to a 32 point win. The game was also significant for Phil Davis with the courageous co-captain needing to undergo two operations on a lacerated kidney he suffered from an innocuous knock during the game.

Footy is back at Spotless Stadium on Saturday, April 28 as the GIANTS take on the Lions! CLICK HERE to get your tickets.

Paul’s Big Kick

Round 12, 2016 was the GIANTS 100th game in the AFL and the 10th Sydney Derby. A then record crowd of 21,541 gathered to watch the GIANTS record a memorable 42 point win. But there was one moment at three-quarter time that has a special place in the GIANTS’ history. Member Paul Waterhouse was taking part in the Toyo Tires Kick for Cash and he managed to kick a football 40 metres into a stack of Toyo Tires, winning himself $100,000. The crowd and a few GIANTS in the three-quarter time huddle went ballistic as Paul soaked up the cheers after a life-changing kick. 

The First Final

While the GIANTS may not have got the result they desired in the first final at Spotless Stadium, the 2016 Preliminary Final goes down as one of the best finals in recent memory. The GIANTS were beaten by the Bulldogs in an epic tussle with a then record crowd of 21,790 witnessing the Bulldogs winning through to just their third Grand Final in their history.

The “Miracle”

Round nine, 2017 saw the GIANTS fight back from a 25-point deficit at three quarter time to record one of their most memorable wins. With two minutes remaining the GIANTS trailed by two points. Shai Bolton kicked what appeared to be the winning goal for Richmond but a score review showed it was touched by debutant Harry Perryman. The resulting kick in saw Nathan Wilson play on and then kick a 60 metre drop punt into a pack of players. Running back with the flight of the ball Phil Davis punched the ball forward. The Tiger’s Toby Nankervis looked like he’d pick up the loose ball but a solid bump by Jeremy Cameron saw the ball spill free to Mumford. Mumford then got a handball through to Cameron who slotted the winning goal on the run from 50 metres. The GIANTS held on for the remaining 59 seconds to record a memorable win that commentator Dwayne Russell dubbed “The Miracle”.