Where and When: Sunday, June 27 at 1:10pm, MCG
Last time they met: It was way back in round five last season that these two sides last met at GIANTS Stadium. It was a comfortable victory for the GIANTS, winning by 34 points as Jeremy Finlayson and Harry Himmelberg kicked four goals each and Josh Kelly led the disposals tally with 30. The two sides have met three times at the MCG with the Hawks the victors in each of the encounters. The last one was in 2019 when the home side took the win by 33 points.
Where to watch: Sunday’s match will be shown live on Channel 7 in NSW and the ACT and Fox Footy and Kayo nationally from 1pm.
What it means for the GIANTS: After a draw and a win since the mid-season bye, the competition is back to full rounds and the GIANTS are sitting just half a game out of the top eight. The midfield were back to their best in a strong performance against the Blues last round while Jeremy Finlayson impressed with a career-best five goals. Phil Davis and Harry Perryman returned from injury and will be better for the match experience. Over the past two weeks the GIANTS have introduced five key players back into the line-up: Davis, Perryman, Toby Greene, Matt de Boer and Adam Kennedy.
Where’s the opposition at: The Hawks are coming off two strong weeks: a big win over the Swans at the SCG before a really competitive performance against Essendon in Tasmania last round in a match that went down to the wire. The Hawks have said key forward Jack Gunston will remain sidelined for the round 15 clash with Mitch Lewis also expected to miss another match with concussion.
The number: 3. The GIANTS have faced the Hawks at the MCG three times in the past 10 seasons but this time it’s a designated GIANTS home game. The match was initially scheduled for GIANTS Stadium before imminent border closures forced the club to pack up and move to Melbourne on Tuesday night. A GIANTS home game on the MCG - only in COVID times!
In the mix: Important small forward Brent Daniels is available to return from a hamstring injury after last playing in round seven. Ruck Shane Mumford (back) is available for selection as well after Leon Cameron opted to go with young ruck duo Matt Flynn and Kieren Briggs last weekend. The GIANTS went down to Werribee in the VFL last weekend with defender Matt Buntine and mid-season rookie James Peatling impressing.
