Where and When: Saturday August 28, University of Tasmania Stadium (Launceston), 3.20pm AEST
Last time they met: Things got a little dramatic pre-bounce. With Lachie Whitfield and Shane Mumford missing, this was the Gold Coast game that saw Toby Greene and Matt de Boer pulled at the last minute (as well as a couple of key Swans) because they had been at a COVID exposure sites days earlier in Melbourne. The GIANTS started in red-hot form and were 35 points clear early in the second quarter before the Swans ground them down, picking up their work around the contest, getting the ball out into the open and kicking six straight goals in the third quarter (and 12 of the last 14 goals for the game) to push their way in front. With Callum Mills missing, Luke Parker and Josh Kennedy were crucial in helping the Swans get on top for clearances. Well held by Sam Taylor early, Buddy Franklin managed four crucial second half goals, with Tom Papley a constant annoyance, also scoring four. For the GIANTS, Taylor’s effort on Franklin was important early, Harry Himmelberg, Daniel Lloyd and Jesse Hogan found room to move and made the most of Jacob Hopper’s early work and late inclusion Tanner Bruhn brought some spark. Not so good? Matthew Flynn’s shoulder injury, and the ankle injury that cut Josh Kelly's game short.
Where to watch: https://www.afl.com.au/broadcast-guide-premiership
What it means for the GIANTS: For the first time all season the GIANTS were able to piece together three wins in a row, relying on no other side to clinch their spot in the finals after beating the Blues last Saturday night. After a slow start and some inconsistent patches through the season the team has found form, energy and spark at the right time, and reinvigorated the line-up that missed out on finals last year and lost a couple of key players in the trade period. Now it’s time to go for it, in a knockout final against an opponent we know well: this will be the third time the two Sydney sides have come up against each other in a final.
Where’s the opposition at: The Swans have had a super season, bouncing back up into the finals after a short time away and with a young and skilful side that Parker, Franklin and other senior players are still giving plenty too. They had a comfortable win over Gold Coast to complete their home-and-away season, and like the GIANTS come into the game in some strong form. Both Mills (Achilles tendinitis) and Kennedy (hamstring) are in doubt to play, with players like Chad Warner, Dylan Stephens and James Bell in the mix to take their spots if required.
The number: 3. This will be the GIANTS’ third clash with Sydney for the season and the third time the two teams will play off in a final. It’s also the first time that the GIANTS will enter a finals series off three consecutive wins. In 2016 the run was this: LWW. In 2017 it went WWL, in 2018 WLL and in 2019 LLW. This year, the final three of the GIANTS' 11 wins have been nicely timed, coming in a cut throat run home.
In the mix: It’s a fairly fit and healthy list that the club. Xavier O’Halloran will miss out thanks to a calf problem, a shame given the run and oomph he has brought to the tea in the last few weeks. That opens up a spot on a wing. Brent Daniels is also missing, thanks to his latest hamstring strain. But Stephen Coniglio is ready to go after coming on as the sub last week then backing it up with a full scratch match the next day. Sam Reid, James Peatling, Bobby Hill, Jake Riccardi, Braydon Preuss and Conor Stone all got through the same game well, and are putting their hands up too, as is Phil Davis, who has had the better of Buddy Franklin in many high-stake clashes. Shane Mumford has had a week’s rest too, and will be ready to jump back into the ruck. Does Zach Sproule back him up, or Kieren Briggs? Tom Green has missed a few weeks now with a hamstring, and should also be available to come in and play his first final.
