In the lead up to the GIANTS' historic ANZAC Day clash with the Gold Coast Suns at StarTrack Oval, we’ve examined some of the key statistical components that could influence the match.

    •    Premiership Quarter Leaders: The GIANTS lead the AFL for points scored in the third term of 2015 matches, averaging a total of 32.3 compared to the Gold Coast Suns who are ranked 14th, averaging 18 points.

    •    Ablett/O’Meara out: The Suns will be without injured ball-magnets Gary Ablett and Jaeger O’Meara who have been dominant against the GIANTS in previous encounters. Ablett has averaged 32 touches and three goals over the last three matches against the GIANTS while O’Meara has averaged 27 touches.

    •    Dangerous Whitfield: Midfielder Lachie Whitfield is currently ranked 2nd in the AFL for uncontested possessions accumulating an average of 23.7 so far this season. Whitfield, who is also the GIANTS leading disposal getter in 2015, has predominantly spent time playing on the wing and half forward. Whitfield had a game-high 38 touches in the loss against the Swans last week.

    •    Stopping Prestia: Suns midfielder Dion Prestia is leading the AFL in clearances which means he could attract the attention of Stephen Coniglio around stoppages. Coniglio played a shut-down role a fortnight ago against Melbourne captain Nathan Jones and restricted the on-baller to just 11 disposals. That same game Coniglio accumulated 26 touches and kicked two goals. Coniglio is ranked equal 6th in the competition for tackles – averaging 6.7 per game.

    •    Disposal Efficiency: Gold Coast are ranked last in the AFL for disposal efficiency percentage (67.9%) while the GIANTS are ranked 5th in the league (75.2%). Pressure from the GIANTS around the ground could result in more turnovers this week.

    •    Rebounding Shaw: Heath Shaw is equal first in the AFL for taking bounces (averaging four per game in 2015). Last time the sides met the defender had 27 touches across half-back.

    •    Leading from the Front: In his last three matches against Gold Coast, GIANTS co-capitan Callan Ward has averaged 28 touches. With the addition of Ryan Griffen to the GIANTS midfield this season Ward has come under less attention from opposition sides meaning he could be set to improve on his average.

    •    Crucial Ruck Contest: When the two sides met last in Round 6, 2014 both first-choice ruckmen Shane Mumford and Zac Smith missed through injury. Both players have excelled this season, averaging 34 and 33 hit-outs respectively. The GIANTS have also recalled James Stewart to their side, who will help shoulder the burden of ruck contests around the ground.

    •    Target Up Forward: Jeremy Cameron has enjoyed playing the Gold Coast in recent years. Cameron has averaged three goals per game in the last three encounters against the Suns. His partner in crime, Cam McCarthy kicked three goals against the Suns in our NAB Challenge clash earlier this year.

    •    Last Time We Met: The GIANTS clashed with Gold Coast in Round 1 of the NAB Challenge and ran out 36-point winners. Before that it was the Suns who last claimed bragging rights, beating the GIANTS by 40 points in Round 16 last season.

The GIANTS play the Gold Coast Suns at StarTrack Oval, Canberra on Saturday April 25 at 5.40pm. Tickets are available through Ticketek.