The GIANTS take on Geelong in a must-win match to keep their finals hopes alive.
Where and When: GMHBA Stadium, Saturday March 20 at 1:10pm
Tickets: All AFLW matches are ticketed in 2021 and all attendees must obtain a ticket in advance of the match via the applicable vendor. This includes juniors under the age of 18, as well as GIANTS AFLW Members. GIANTS AFLW Memberships only include free entry to GIANTS home matches; as this weekend is a Geelong home match any members wishing to attend will need to purchase a ticket.
Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased via Ticketmaster.
Last time they met: It was the final round of the 2019 season when the GIANTS and the Cats last played off. The GIANTS stormed home to finish their season with a convincing 31-point win over Geelong, who were playing for a spot in the finals in their inaugural season. The GIANTS dominated the stats with Alyce Parker, Alicia Eva and Haneen Zreika among the best.
TV and Online: All AFLW matches are available live on Foxtel, Kayo, the AFLW Online site, AFL Telstra TV App and on the AFLW and AFL Official Apps. GIANTS matches are also broadcast live into NSW and the ACT free-to-air on 7mate.
What it means for the GIANTS: The GIANTS enter the match against the Cats coming off a 20-point win over St Kilda in Melbourne last weekend. The round seven win keeps the GIANTS’ finals hopes alive, with wins from their remaining two matches giving them the best chance to return to the finals for a second consecutive year. Last Saturday’s win and corresponding round seven results saw the GIANTS jump to ninth position on the ladder, currently sitting on 12 points alongside Carlton, whom they will face in the final round of the regular home and away season.
Where’s the opposition at: The Cats are desperate for a win with the side still yet to get a win on the board this season. They are one of two team winless for the 2021 season and sit in 14th spot on the ladder below the Gold Coast Suns. They come off a 39-point loss to the West Coast Eagles who sit just two spots above them on the ladder. The Cats will come off a short turn around having faced the Eagles in West Coast on Monday afternoon in their first away game of the season.
The number: 0. This Saturday’s match will be the first time that the GIANTS’ AFLW side has played a match in Geelong, at GMHBA stadium. Since the Cats’ inception into the competition, the only other time the two teams have met was in Canberra at Manuka Oval. The round eight match will be the fourth home game for the Cats this season.
In the mix: Rebecca Privitelli sent a strong message to selectors in her return to the squad last round. Aimee Schmidt will be tested during training this week following an ankle injury sustained in round six against the Brisbane Lions, while Lisa Steane and Taylah Davies will be hoping to make a return this week following omissions in round seven.
