Where and When: Saturday, April 2 at 4:35pm, GIANTS Stadium

Last time they met: 

The GIANTS’ finals hopes were left hanging by a thread after conceding two goals in the final four minutes to lose to Gold Coast by a point at Mars Stadium in Ballarat while on the road last season. The GIANTS appeared set for victory after Toby Greene's third goal, but goals to Matt Rowell and David Swallow within the space of 60 seconds gave Gold Coast a one-point lead. The Suns survived several other frantic attacks by the GIANTS to hold on for the 10.5 (65) to 9.10 (64) win.

TV and Online: 

Saturday’s match will be shown live on Fox Footy and Kayo nationally and on 7mate in NSW and the ACT from 4:30pm.

What it means for the GIANTS: 

A disappointing loss to Richmond at the MCG means the GIANTS are still searching for their first win this year. Returning to GIANTS Stadium for the first time since round 14 last year, the GIANTS will be eager for a happy homecoming and will take confidence from a strong winning record against the Gold Coast Suns. 

Where’s the opposition at: 

Stuart Dew's side have made a promising start to the 2022 season, beating the Eagles in the opening round before falling narrowly to the reigning premiers, Melbourne, in round two. Touk Miller is continuing to enhance his reputation as one of the AFL's best midfielders in 2022, registering 67 disposals over two games to start the season. 

The number: 4 - the number of times the GIANTS got to play at GIANTS Stadium in 2021. Saturday afternoon’s game will be the AFL team’s first time playing for premiership points at the venue since June 19 last year. 

In the mix: 

There’s a bit for the match committee to work through again this week for the GIANTS. Phil Davis will miss approximately two to three months after suffering a hamstring injury late in the second quarter against the Tigers. Forward Daniel Lloyd was subbed out of last round’s match with a fractured forearm and will be sidelined for 8-10 weeks. Finn Callaghan, Jake Stein and Jacob Wehr all starred for the GIANTS as they defeated Port Melbourne in the opening round of the VFL on the weekend. Ruckman Braydon Preuss could make his club debut this weekend after also impressing in the VFL.

The GIANTS have sealed their first win of the season with Stephen Coniglio reinforcing his return-to-form and Braydon Preuss impressing in the 12.11 (83) to 8.9 (57) victory over the Gold Coast at GIANTS Stadium.

The GIANTS midfield came out firing after criticism of their performance last week against Richmond, with co-captain Coniglio and club debutant Preuss joined by Tom Green and Tim Taranto in setting the tone around stoppages.

The GIANTS won the clearances 54-35 as the Suns' prolific onballer Touk Miller was restricted to only 17 possessions and Matt Rowell also had little influence on the match.

The resurgent Coniglio again looked to have rediscovered some of his best form as he collected 21 disposals in the first half and finished with 32 touches and a game-high 10 clearances in a stirring display.

The injury-prone Preuss made his GIANTS debut after arriving at his third club late in 2020 and had an instant impact with 34 hitouts, 16 possessions and seven clearances while getting the better of Suns co-captain Jarrod Witts.

The inclusion of the 206cm Preuss and 204cm Lachlan Keeffe allowed emerging onballer Green to leave the rucking to the bigger bodies so he could focus on winning the ball at ground level.

The 21-year-old continued his outstanding start to the season and ended with 28 disposals and six clearances, while also drifting forward to be a regular target inside 50. Green kicked 2.2 including a smart right-foot snap in the third quarter when the game was still in the balance.

Tim Taranto (35 disposals, one goal) also stood out in the second half in particular, while Harry Himmelberg (three goals) and Jesse Hogan (two goals) ensured the GIANTS midfield dominance was reflected on the scoreboard.

The Suns' co-captain Miller was unable to shake the close attention of Lachlan Ash as he dropped under 29 touches for the first time in the past 19 matches.

Mabior Chol and Levi Casboult (both three goals) kept the scoreboard respectable for the Suns, while Jack Lukosius was missed in defence but set up several shots on goal with his neat kicking when playing in the front-half.

It was a happy homecoming for the GIANTS who were playing their first match at their home ground for 287 days after being forced to play away from Sydney due to COVID-19 last year.

The GIANTS' victory improved their record against the Suns at the venue to five wins from as many matches, now by an average of 82 points.

The GIANTS travel to Perth to play Fremantle next weekend, while Gold Coast will look to bounce back when it hosts Carlton at Metricon Stadium in round four.

Preuss presses his claims

If Braydon Preuss is the perennial journeyman footballer then that journey has been taken on a very slow boat to this point. His first six seasons since being taken in the 2015 rookie draft produced 18 games at three clubs - everybody wants him, but no-one wants to play him. However, after his GIANTS debut the former Roo and Demon's career may start moving a little quicker. Preuss was up against Jarrod Witts and more than held his own against the Suns captain, finishing with 16 disposals, 34 hitouts and seven clearances. He also laid four tackles, some of them reminiscent of the bone-jarring types his predecessor Shane Mumford liked.

GIANTS                                    5.4    8.7    9.9    12.11 (83)
GOLD COAST                              1.4    3.5    4.6     8.9 (57)

GOALS

GIANTS: Himmelberg 3, Green 2, Hogan 2, de Boer, Hill, Keeffe, O'Halloran, Taranto
Gold Coast: Casboult 3, Chol 3, Holman, Sexton

BEST

GIANTS: Taranto, Coniglio, Green, Whitfield, Preuss, Hogan
Gold Coast: Rowell, Weller, Casboult, Fiorini, Sharp

INJURIES

GIANTS: Haynes (foot/ankle)
Gold Coast: TBC

MEDICAL SUBS

GIANTS: Adam Kennedy, replaced Nick Haynes
Gold Coast: Josh Corbett (unused)