Where and when: GIANTS Stadium, Friday July 24, 7:50pm AEST
Last time they met: It was the best of times, then the worst of days. At the end of a finals series characterised by tough, gritty, never-say-die wins the GIANTS made it to Grand Final Day for the first time in the club’s eight-year history, having fallen twice at preliminary final stage. The GIANTS were able to bring Toby Greene back from suspension, and Lachie Whitfield played having undergone recent appendix surgery. Phil Davis passed a fitness test on the day and was able to take his spot in the side. But everything – including a settled, in-form Richmond side – seemed to catch up with the team on that day, a bright start slipping away quickly as the Tigers piled on five goals straight in the second quarter before kicking away to an 89 point win and the club’s 12th premiership.
TV and online: https://www.afl.com.au/broadcast-guide-premiership
What it means for the GIANTS: This is a huge game, not only because it is the GIANTS’ first chance to take on Richmond since the Grand Final Day defeat. Last week’s loss to Brisbane pushed the club down to 13th spot on the ladder, but the very even season means the club is still just four points away from 5th spot after seven rounds. The Tigers have quietly built some good form over the last few weeks to reach fourth spot, and with 10 rounds to go this is a chance to piece together a four-quarter effort against a strong opposition, start to build some consistency and get stuck into the run home with some confidence. This game will also be the last time the GIANTS play in Sydney for a while, with trips to the Gold Coast and Perth coming up in the next block of the fixture.
Where’s the opposition at? The Tigers perhaps took a while to get going and snuck home two weeks ago against Sydney, but they had a solid win over Melbourne two weeks ago and were far too good for North Melbourne last weekend. Newcomer Jake Aarts kicked two goals in that game, while Derek Eggmolesse-Smith gave them plenty of dare and drive off half-back. Shai Bolton, Dylan Grimes, Marlion Pickett, Nick Vlastuin and Jayden Short were others to play well in that game. Josh Caddy is set to miss this week after suffering a hamstring injury but defender David Astbury may return from a knee injury.
The number: 84. Leon Cameron started his career at Footscray, and was a Bulldog for 10 years before making his way to Punt Road as a Richmond player. In four years the GIANTS’ newest life member played 84 of his 256 games there before retiring at the end of 2003 and getting stuck into his coaching career.
In the mix: Toby Greene will be back in the line-up, after missing last week’s game against the Lions with shin soreness. Adam Kennedy and Zac Williams (hamstring) are one more week away, with Sam Reid (calf) due back in another two weeks. Draftee Tom Hutchesson will play his first scratch match since the break, having overcome a hamstring injury, while Sam Taylor is at home and on the mend from his bacterial infection. Callan Ward will miss another 3-5 weeks with his knee injury, while Isaac Cumming is working away at his hamstring rehab but won’t play again for a while. Tom Green, Xavier O’Halloran and Jack Buckley are among those continuing to push hard for a call-up, with Daniel Lloyd a chance to come back in after missing last week's match.
In the spotlight: Stephen Coniglio got back to doing what he does best against the Lions last week, teaming up around the ball with Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper and fighting hard for the ball. The contested possession count was one thing that went the GIANTS’ way in the 20-point loss, with 15 of the skipper's 27 touches hard-fought and his nine clearances giving the GIANTS a chance to get things moving.
